College students who are neurodivergent tend to face more challenges than their neurotypical classmates, but there’s good news coming out of Rutgers University in terms of funding for support systems.
College students who are diagnosed with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and Tourette syndrome may be able to attend Rutgers at a fraction of the typical cost thanks to a grant from the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE). This effort is through a partnership between ScarletWell, a public health- and prevention-focused approach to mental health and wellness led by Rutgers–New Brunswick Chancellor Francine Conway, the Center for Youth Social Emotional Wellness, the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services, and the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP).
“This is about creating a welcoming, equitable and supportive environment that helps all of our qualified students – including those who are neurodiverse – to make the most of the world-class education we offer,” says Conway.
Joshua Langberg, a licensed clinical psychologist, professor of psychology and director of the Center for Youth Social Emotional Wellness, says students must have the necessary documentation to qualify for accommodation and medication services. This type of evaluation often isn’t available on college campuses and can cost between $1,000 and $2,000 per student.
The funding will also make it possible to offer mental health evaluations through the Center for Psychological Services that would include a comprehensive assessment of ADHD (as well as checking for anxiety and depression) to Rutgers students for $150. Plus, at $3,500 per semester, support programs that can be a financial hardship will be offered at a reduced cost or no cost.
“We want everybody who comes to Rutgers to be able to engage and participate at their fullest possible potential,” says Langberg. “That’s why we exist.” More than 5 percent of college students report a diagnosis of ADHD but many more haven’t gone to get evaluated, says Langberg.
Autism rates increased by as much as 500 percent between 2000 and 2016 according to a Rutgers study, and the highest increase was among kids without intellectual disabilities. Rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) co-occurring with intellectual disability increased two-fold between 2000 and 2016 while rates of ASD with no intellectual disability jumped five-fold, from 3.8 per 1,000 to 18.9 per 1,000. The Rutgers study also showed that African American children with ASD and no intellectual disabilities were more likely to be underdiagnosed.
“With up to 72 percent of the ASD population having borderline or average intellectual ability, emphasis should be placed on early screening, early identification and early intervention,” says Josephine Shenouda, an adjunct professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health and lead author of the study published in the journal Pediatrics.
Christopher Manente, the executive director of the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services and an associate professor of clinical practice at GSAPP, says neurodiversity is a part of equity inclusion, just like racial or religious or gender diversity. “There’s this misconception that if someone is neurodivergent that likely makes them less intelligent,” says Manente, who self-identifies as neurodiverse. “There are many autistic students who go through our program who have genius-level IQs and are blowing the curve” in their classes across a variety of very technical and complex academic disciplines, he says.
Langberg also is bringing a new program to Rutgers called the Accessing Campus Connections and Empowering Student Success (ACCESS), which is a cognitive-behavioral therapy program that provides a combination of group treatment and individual mentoring for students with ADHD.
Read More:
Study Shows Significant Autism Increase in NY and NJ
Social Skills Groups are Beneficial for Neurodiverse Kids
Nurturing Children with Autism: Tips to Manage Challenging Behaviors
Should We Label Children with Special Needs? Weighing the Pros and Cons
This Princeton Father’s Film on Autism is a Must-See
These NJ Universities Are Ranked Among The Best in the Country