Daughters college anxieties

If she hasn't already got one, see if learning support can assign your daughter a Key worker.

A Key worker, ideally, should be someone at College she trusts to go to with any anxieties she has and someone who is also Aspie aware so they can support her more intensively. Having an assigned person you can e-mail with concerns or she can go to will help with confidence and reassurance as well as keep her focused on small areas, rather than her looking at the bigger picture and becoming overwhelmed.

Keep in mind that attending college is a huge step for Aspies and intergration can take much longer than most NT's.

Talk also to the Learning support team and ask if they can set up a 'V Inspire' account for her. 'V inspire' allows you to register hours of voluntary work to a database and aquire points as a result. It can be as small as helping a neighbour or a fellow student at College or working with others in her free time in a hobby etc.

This can help build confidence and gives the student a sense of value beyond the academic studies and classroom that they can transfer to achievement academically. V inspire can then be used to add to personal statements when applying for UNI or other Colleges and courses or for CV's etc and showcases a students activities beyond the classroom. A great carrot to dangle for attendence and something to help with motivation.

My own son has collected his voluntary hours supporting other Aspie students at College, as well as participating in staff training by explaing to teachers what his needs are and theirfore raising Autism awareness. He's also participated in voluntary events with his local Autism hub. It doesnt have to be full time, just one off things are fine. She may not feel able to do as my son has, but like I say, it links home and College.

Hope that helps

Good luck

Coogy 

If she hasn't already got one, see if learning support can assign your daughter a Key worker.

A Key worker, ideally, should be someone at College she trusts to go to with any anxieties she has and someone who is also Aspie aware so they can support her more intensively. Having an assigned person you can e-mail with concerns or she can go to will help with confidence and reassurance as well as keep her focused on small areas, rather than her looking at the bigger picture and becoming overwhelmed.

Keep in mind that attending college is a huge step for Aspies and intergration can take much longer than most NT's.

Talk also to the Learning support team and ask if they can set up a 'V Inspire' account for her. 'V inspire' allows you to register hours of voluntary work to a database and aquire points as a result. It can be as small as helping a neighbour or a fellow student at College or working with others in her free time in a hobby etc.

This can help build confidence and gives the student a sense of value beyond the academic studies and classroom that they can transfer to achievement academically. V inspire can then be used to add to personal statements when applying for UNI or other Colleges and courses or for CV's etc and showcases a students activities beyond the classroom. A great carrot to dangle for attendence and something to help with motivation.

My own son has collected his voluntary hours supporting other Aspie students at College, as well as participating in staff training by explaing to teachers what his needs are and theirfore raising Autism awareness. He's also participated in voluntary events with his local Autism hub. It doesnt have to be full time, just one off things are fine. She may not feel able to do as my son has, but like I say, it links home and College.

Hope that helps

Good luck

Coogy