Worried about starting university?
Need help preparing for university?
Starting university is a major transition for everyone but especially for autistic students, almost everything about life is about to change and this can be overwhelming. However, with the right support these changes can be planned for and will feel less daunting.
Things I can help you with:
Am I ready for university?
How will I cope at uni?
How will I make friends?
What if I'm homesick?
I will miss my family and friends.What if I'm lonely?
What help will the uni give me?
What teaching adjustments can I ask for?
How do I apply for Disabled Students Allowance?
With many years experience working with autistic university students and a thorough knowledge of the university environment, I offer tailored support to help autistic individuals prepare for this important step.
Supporting autistic students on the journey to university
I'm experienced at helping autistic students, and their parents, transition and settle into university, offering guidance and reassurance during this challenging but exciting time. Working together we can ensure that preparing to start university is a manageable and positive experience.
My expertise supporting autistic students has been recognised nationally and internationally: on radio, at international conferences and with awards.
Enhanced DBS checked.
Worried about starting at a new school?
Need help preparing to move to secondary school? Or to navigate the day to day challenges of life?
Does your child need help to understand their autism? To feel confident in their autistic identity? To learn strategies to overcome day to day challenges? Starting a new school is a major transition for everyone but especially for autistic students. However, with the right support these changes can be planned for and will feel less daunting. Day to day life can be challenging as an autistic young person, interactions at school and socially can be confusing.
Things I can help you with:
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
With many years experience working with autistic students and a thorough knowledge of the university environment, I offer tailored support to help autistic individuals prepare for this important step.
Supporting autistic students on the journey to university
I'm experienced at helping autistic students, and their parents, transition and settle into university, offering guidance and reassurance during this challenging but exciting time. Working together we can ensure that preparing to start university is a manageable and positive experience.
My expertise supporting autistic students has been recognised nationally and internationally: on radio, at international conferences and with awards.
Enhanced DBS checked.
Case Studies of Students I have Supported
Josh
Josh worked with me for 7 sessions between July - September 2024. Josh aged 22, had started university in 2022 but hadn't settled. He had struggled to make friends, to attend lectures and keep to deadlines, and withdrew from university after 6 months. When I first met Josh he was due to start at a new university in October 2024, Josh and his family wanted to be better prepared and to have strategies in place to ensure Josh was successful second time around. I worked with Josh for 5 appointments before term started and a further 2 appointments during the first two weeks of term.
These are some of the things we did:
We applied for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).
Contacted his Uni to discuss teaching and learning adjustments.
Made plans and strategies for developing a social life.
I worked with Josh's parent to develop strategy to support him.
Helped Josh construct a schedule to manage unstructured time.
Josh is settled and thriving at his new university. Josh knows he can book a meeting with me whenever new challenges occur.
Nova
Nova aged 19 was very worried about leaving home, although Nova wanted to pursue their dream of going to university both Nova and her family were dreading them leaving home. Nova's parent still helped them with lots of everyday tasks and life admin. Nova didn't know what to expect at university and this was causing her anxiety. I worked with Nova for 6 sessions before the start of term, and 3 further sessions in the first weeks of term.
We discussed all of Nova's concerns, Nova learned more about university life, and we developed strategies for:
Practicalities- shopping, laundry, cleaning.
Ways of making friends.
Creating a schedule. to manage unstructured time.
Anticipating, managing and overcoming homesickness.