Pilot program at Hiram College designed to better support students with autism

A program new to Hiram College this year could help students with autism and other neurodivergencies succeed, while also boosting the school’s graduation rate.

Back in July, the College Autism Network (CAN) selected Hiram College as one of seven pilot institutions for its inaugural Autism-Inclusive Campus Designation (AICD).

CAN’s goal is to create a college environment that supports the inclusion and success of people with autism and other neurodivergencies. That means designing more sensory-friendly spaces and events, creating new programs centered on neurodiversity, developing peer and student support groups and updating the college’s policies and hiring practices to ensure accessibility, according to information provided by Hiram.

Instructors and professors campus-wide are adopting Universal Design for Learning classroom practices that encourage individuals on both sides of the desk to communicate in the manner that works best for them. Hiram has also introduced two new minors: Disability Studies and Neurodiversity Studies.

Additionally, college faculty, staff and students are joining an Accessibility Task Force charged with assessing how the college meets AICD principles and identifying areas that need improvement. They’ll be guided by CAN reviewers who will meet with neurodivergent individuals and campus stakeholders to obtain measurable feedback.

If graduation is a metric of success, Hiram hopes its goal of fostering students’ sense of belonging will increase its numbers. The U.S. Department of Education reports that Hiram College’s six-year graduation rate hovers at the 60% mark. That’s better than the national rate, which is closer to half. However, less than 40% of college students with autism earn their degrees within six years.

The college is also exploring transition planning tailored to neurodivergent students as they prepare for life after graduation.