Let’s face it. There are some students we work with in the classroom that present a challenge to faculty. Professors increasingly are asked to assess for suicide, sort out what is disruptive and what is dangerous, as well as handle odd and strange behavior with a sense of grace and equanimity. These are not easy tasks for anyone.
This presentation will address the issue of Asperger’s, a developmental disorder with which a growing number of college students have been diagnosed. Students can request accommodations in the classroom but often they refuse to talk about their problem or ask for help. Moreover, each student has different experiences with the disorder.
Dr. Brian Van Brunt will review the common symptoms of Asperger’s disorder and discuss how these most commonly manifest in the classroom setting. Participants will learn referral and management techniques to assist the professor in providing these students assistance while meeting the required legal standard of ADA. Practical tips and advice to prevent stress and burnout that can occur when working with these students will also be presented.
This presentation will be unique and practical given Dr. Van Brunt’s personal experience both in treating students with Asperger’s disorder in therapy as well as having taught for over a decade in various classroom settings.
