By: Rachael Jackson Staff writer
On Jan. 20, the Human Resources and Student Health & Counseling Center (SHCC) put on an informational presentation on students with Asperger’s Syndrome on campus. Director of the SHCC, Jaime Silva, and Director of Counseling Services, Scott Perfect, led the presentation and discussion.
The presentation began with characteristics that professors and college staff can look for when approaching students that may have Asperger’s. They explained that it is considered a hidden disability, a disability that that is not identifiable based on physical attributes.
“College can be a very challenging time,” explained Perfect. “Some students come with Asperger’s Syndrome, and they are seeking help to do things like keeping a sleep schedule, doing laundry, making friends.”
For the past six years, Silva has run the Asperger’s Support Group on campus. Students come to the group for therapy, training for social situations, and for a place to meet friends.
Silva read from “Aquamarine Blue 5,” a poem book that was written completely by college students that have autism. The poems reflected difficulties that students often go to the SHCC for. One poem detailed the sensory overload that can come from light sensitivity connected to Asperger’s.
The SHCC offers other resources to help students plan days, to prioritize assignments, training to ask professors for help, and how to create deadlines.
Perfect and Silva were quick to point out that there are many strengths associated with Asperger’s. Strong vocabulary skills and average or above-average intellectual ability is prevalent. They are usually skilled in fields that apply a lot of logic or problem solving.
“Liberal arts curriculum is not typically their friend,” said Perfect, half in jest.
