Not Just “Different”: College Student Nicholas Strahl
Nicholas Strahl is a senior in Purdue University’s College of Liberal Arts; Strahl has Asperger’s Syndrome, which he describes as “a combination of attention deficiency, depression and anxiety problems” in an article in today’s Purdue Exponent.
“The major problem with Asperger’s is you don’t have time to sort yourself out……The whole world is rushing ahead and you don’t have time to look at these kids and sort them out.”
Heather Stout, associate dean of students and director of adaptive programs, notes that AS students do not need the “usual” accommodations for students with disabilities, and that “‘one on one contact with a staff member’” is often involved. Strahl raises some questions about the effectiveness of programs designed to assist him with class work and college life, and wonders why more programs to help students like him do not already exist as the “‘the tools and the ideas’” are already said to exist. He has started a group on Facebook:
“I don’t want people to think I’m just different. I just have a different perspective on life.”
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POSTED IN: Adulthood, Asperger's Syndrome, College, Disability Rights, Education, Stereotypes
2 opinions for Not Just “Different”: College Student Nicholas Strahl
Daisy
Nov 27, 2006 at 9:10 pm
My 14-year-old with Aspergers keeps telling me he wants to go to college “out of state”. Maybe Purdue has possibilities.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Nov 27, 2006 at 9:17 pm
What would he like to study?
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