Looking for guidance

Your daughter sounds like she should do well.

Usually you can arrange to get feedback from Student Services Disability support, its the teaching staff however who set and mark assignments, and these days there are heavy strictures about confidentiality. Where I worked the student would have to have signed a written authorisation AND my head of division would have to approve and monitor any communication. But not all universities are as worried about confidentiality.

Usually university life is highly beneficial, and it is rewarding to see students arriving with all kinds of difficulties who really make great strides forward in a university environment. It seems to be advantageous for people on the spectrum. But remember getting a job after can be a real let down.

While your daughter sounds fine there are problems that arise are issues for other parents to consider at this time. Not doing the work set disadvantages many students, and while it can arise with students on the spectrum, it is also an issue with otherwise NT students.

To be honest the criteria for assignments and learning outcomes are written by committees, and while teaching staff try to make them more understandable they are not allowed to "alter the letter of the law" as it were. So I can understand why students blank them and miss things they needed to do. We preach "read the question" but its often like they never have (in reality because they don't believe we mean it).

Find out what is the course content across three years of study. Usually there is explanatory material available, in hard copy or on-line. Look for anything that might prove a sticking point. Check for group work (assessments worked on by a group for a group mark may create problems for students on the spectrum). Ask if an individual piece of work can be accepted from someone not good at group work.

Some subjects have laboratory work, which might involve smells or handling chemicals - which can be an issue for people on the spectrum. Some courses involve field trips, some day trips some overnight or residential for a few days including overseas trips. It travelling in a coach or a minibus an issue? Would sharing rooms in a hostel be an issue?

Look out for off-site teaching. Where modules are shared with a local college, some teaching might mean bussing to another campus for lectures.

I keep preaching in here about subject choices that aren't necessarily appropriate. Just because someone is good with numbers doesn't mean a course in mathematics, especially pure maths is a good idea. Pure maths is highly abstract and theoretical. Someone who likes numbers might be better doing accountancy. Likewise just because someone is good at computer games doesn't mean they would enjoy a computer course, where they have to do lots of things outside their comfort zone.

Universities vary widely what they require re registration of disability. Some will accept a previous SEN document, others may have their own assessment or a contracted out assessment, and some of these have to be paid for but if you get funds they can be used to repay the fee.

Your daughter sounds like she should do well.

Usually you can arrange to get feedback from Student Services Disability support, its the teaching staff however who set and mark assignments, and these days there are heavy strictures about confidentiality. Where I worked the student would have to have signed a written authorisation AND my head of division would have to approve and monitor any communication. But not all universities are as worried about confidentiality.

Usually university life is highly beneficial, and it is rewarding to see students arriving with all kinds of difficulties who really make great strides forward in a university environment. It seems to be advantageous for people on the spectrum. But remember getting a job after can be a real let down.

While your daughter sounds fine there are problems that arise are issues for other parents to consider at this time. Not doing the work set disadvantages many students, and while it can arise with students on the spectrum, it is also an issue with otherwise NT students.

To be honest the criteria for assignments and learning outcomes are written by committees, and while teaching staff try to make them more understandable they are not allowed to "alter the letter of the law" as it were. So I can understand why students blank them and miss things they needed to do. We preach "read the question" but its often like they never have (in reality because they don't believe we mean it).

Find out what is the course content across three years of study. Usually there is explanatory material available, in hard copy or on-line. Look for anything that might prove a sticking point. Check for group work (assessments worked on by a group for a group mark may create problems for students on the spectrum). Ask if an individual piece of work can be accepted from someone not good at group work.

Some subjects have laboratory work, which might involve smells or handling chemicals - which can be an issue for people on the spectrum. Some courses involve field trips, some day trips some overnight or residential for a few days including overseas trips. It travelling in a coach or a minibus an issue? Would sharing rooms in a hostel be an issue?

Look out for off-site teaching. Where modules are shared with a local college, some teaching might mean bussing to another campus for lectures.

I keep preaching in here about subject choices that aren't necessarily appropriate. Just because someone is good with numbers doesn't mean a course in mathematics, especially pure maths is a good idea. Pure maths is highly abstract and theoretical. Someone who likes numbers might be better doing accountancy. Likewise just because someone is good at computer games doesn't mean they would enjoy a computer course, where they have to do lots of things outside their comfort zone.

Universities vary widely what they require re registration of disability. Some will accept a previous SEN document, others may have their own assessment or a contracted out assessment, and some of these have to be paid for but if you get funds they can be used to repay the fee.