Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS) has launched new initiatives to better support students on the autism spectrum. Building on existing services like weekly academic coaching, a neurodivergent-focused section of the UNIV 1210: Academic Success and Personal Development course, and the student-led group Students for New Learning, the effort emphasizes proactive preparation over reactive support.
Earlier this month, DASS held Thriving in College: A DASS Open House for Autistic Students and their Families, a virtual orientation that introduced Know Before You Go, our 30-question checklist to help autistic students anticipate academic and social challenges. The session also highlighted Start Smart! What’s New in College and How to Handle It, our new guide that walks the students through common college experiences and strategies to navigate them.
To address issues that arise during the term, DASS created Help Finder, a guide that connects struggling students with the most relevant SMU resources. Together, these tools offer a more structured pathway for autistic students to prepare, adapt, and self-advocate. All materials are available on the DASS Success Strategies webpage and can be shared with any student who may benefit.