By Vladimir Kogan
Whether you’re a student yourself or the parent of a soon-to-be college kid, it’s natural to be anxious about the experiences that come with attending higher education and entering the next phase of life.
Parents of children with autism know this overwhelming feeling all too well. Adolescents, teenagers and young adults with sensory processing challenges face distinct obstacles throughout their lives, especially as they approach college and face unfamiliar social norms and expectations.
Teens who experience difficulties in sensory integration and regulation can struggle with low self-esteem and a sense of isolation. College and employment commitments often bring with them new levels of stress and anxiety, which can be particularly intense for those with autism.
Recognizing and actively managing these stressors is an important stepping stone, and the key to successfully managing these transitions is understanding, advocating for and utilizing appropriate strategies and accommodations like the ones below:
Empower Your Child
The person with sensory challenges should always have a say in their accommodations and diet. Participating in these decisions makes the chosen strategies more meaningful and effective. Embrace your sensory differences not as a drawback but as a distinctive lens through which you experience the world. If you’re a parent or caregiver, focus on supporting your teen to independently manage their sensory needs while they ride the emotional highs and lows of this life stage.
Empower Yourself
Joining online or local support groups can provide you with needed information and shared experiences with people (or other parents of students) in similar situations. Use these support networks to assist you or your teen in successfully transitioning from the familiar home setting to the more independent college or employment experience.
Addressing the underlying difficulties faced by young adults with sensory processing disorders highlights the importance of promoting autonomy. This self-determination, as demonstrated by the shift from problem-solving to solution-implementing, will define the future of college, employment and adult life.
Seek Out Professional Guidance
Bringing the right occupational therapist onto your team can elevate your independence. Therapists who specialize in difficulty with sensory processing for teens and college-aged groups offer individualized, age-appropriate interventions. They can integrate critical life skills practice with traditional methods; incorporating activities like cooking, art or music that resonate with your interests and sense of identity.
These activities also present excellent opportunities for enhancing social skills. Participating in these will help you to develop better communication, empathy and relationship-building skills, all necessary for mastering your environment’s social complexities.
Teach and Practice Coping Strategies to Prevent Sensory Meltdowns
Each individual should be aware of and make use of strategies that are effective for them, since everyone’s sensory needs are different. Improving your ability to handle day-to-day challenges can be implemented with the help of mindfulness techniques and customized sensory calming techniques. This might involve scheduling quiet times, utilizing sensory tools, engaging in calming activities, including designated quiet zones on campus, or taking sensory breaks between classes.
Choose a Path That Allows You to Shine
Choosing a professional or academic path that aligns with their talents and interests can significantly boost job satisfaction and performance for people with sensory processing issues. Supportive settings can have a profound impact by creating a space where you feel valued and understood. Prioritizing the search for sensory-friendly learning environments or workplaces and seeking employers known for their inclusive practices should be priorities.
Utilize job platforms and local higher education networks that cater to individuals with sensory sensitivities. Don’t shy away from exploring unconventional options like remote work, entrepreneurship or remote learning, which can offer you more control over your environment.
Create Safe Spaces
Consider the importance of factors like ambient light, noise level and room organization when scouting locations for your future living arrangements if you will be away from home. These factors can significantly impact a student’s comfort and capacity to thrive.
Don’t forget about modifications like adjustable lighting and soundproofing elements. Even small changes, such as blackout curtains and softer lighting, can transform a dorm room or apartment into a comfortable decompression space for a young person with sensory needs.
Implementing sensory regulation strategies can significantly improve focus and productivity in the workplace as well. Items like noise-canceling headphones or tinted glasses can be lifesavers for managing sensory overload. While disclosing a disability is not mandatory, it is often necessary when specific accommodations are needed. This is a personal decision and should be made based on individual comfort and needs.
While at School
The ADA mandates that under Title II and III, postsecondary institutions need to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities without fundamentally changing the educational program or imposing undue burdens. These accommodations can include note-taking services, extended time for tests, alternative formats for course materials and physical access to classrooms and facilities.
Discrimination against people with disabilities is also prohibited by the ADA, ensuring they have equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from all aspects of higher education, like academic programs, extracurricular activities and other campus services.
While Employed
Being well-informed about your rights is fundamental to advocating for oneself and tackling the challenges in professional settings, both of which are key to building a fulfilling career.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to offer reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities without causing undue hardship. Employees with sensory processing difficulties should educate their employers about their needs to promote understanding and secure the necessary accommodations. Simple, non-technological solutions, like accommodating work schedules, and more complex, tech-driven solutions like ergonomic furniture or specialized software, are all examples of possible accommodations.
Vladimir Kogan is an autism advocate in Las Vegas, Nevada and founder of the ABA Therapy Center. You can reach out to him at the Nevada Autism Center, 7730 West Sahara Avenue #115, Las Vegas, NV 89117, (702) 660-2005, nevadaautism.com.
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