skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

China and Canada Retaliate Against New Trump Tariffs; EU chief proposes plan to 'urgently' increase defense spending by mobilizing around $840 billion; NY's first grid-scale solar project comes online; MS workers face retirement gap as state considers savings plan; MI scientist: Humans, not climate change, to blame for toxic lakes.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump administration puts 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. New York wants newly fired federal workers for state service, and the GAO's High Risk report finds ways to make the government more efficient.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

U.S. farmers are left twisting in the wind over farm projects the federal funding freeze has stalled, parks and public lands could be a mess for visiting tourists this summer, while money to fight rural wildfires is in jeopardy.

Indiana School Tailors Program for College Students with Autism

play audio
Play

Thursday, May 25, 2023   

College is the opportunity to gain some independence, learn time management and make new friends. But high school graduates with autism spectrum disorder often choose not to enroll because of the academic and social demands of college life.

One university in Indiana is working to help them get their degrees. Marian University's "Spectrum of Knights" program offers individualized support for these students, who can choose to study for any major and pursue internships the university offers.

Marian University Autism Coordinator Hannah Melton said class instruction is one-on-one and was created to meet specific needs.

"Social engagement, academic support, and life and professional skills development," said Melton. "As we know, these are often the areas that students on the spectrum may have some challenges during their college studies."

Melton said autistic students can thrive with additional support to navigate the college environment.

According to the Organization for Autism Research, of the 50,000 teens on the spectrum graduating from high school annually in the U.S. - at least one-third go on to college, but experience lower employment rates.

The report suggests taking a gap year or attending summer college-readiness programs may lead to a more successful college experience for those with ASD.

A report by the National Center for Learning Disabilities says college students with ASD often skip higher-ed because they're concerned about what others may think of them, or that they'll be perceived negatively by faculty who don't know about certain disabilities.

They also aren't sure what kinds of disability-related services are available at college or how to access them.

Melton said Marian is reviewing more ways to make its campus more accommodating to ASD students.

"Something that we are trying to get started is to create a Neurodiversity Advisory Council," said Melton. "We're hoping to have some faculty members who also identify as either autistic or neurodiverse."

Research indicates college students with ASD may have trouble managing money, organizing their time or communicating their needs to a professor or counselor.

Melton said peer tutors are available weekly for support, academic tutoring, and a comfortable environment to discuss how the student is doing.

The academic year that starts this fall will be Marian University's first full year to have an entire cohort of students in the Spectrum of Knights program.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
A 2023 study by the Pew Charitable Trusts found states with retirement savings programs for private-sector workers saw increased participation rates and higher savings balances among low- and moderate-income workers. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

For many Mississippians, saving for retirement feels out of reach. Nearly 48% of private-sector workers in the state lack access to employer-…


Environment

play sound

New legislation would help build more wildlife crossings across Oregon highways to make roads safer for people and animals. Research shows that …

Environment

play sound

Each summer, more lake beaches shut down as toxic algae blooms spread across the water and while climate change is often blamed, new research …


In the short time that AllHealth Network's Violence Prevention Team has been at work, it has investigated and intervened in ten reported cases, and has seen an increase in referrals and requests for trainings. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

The U.S. had more than 500 mass shootings last year, and a new program launched in Denver hopes to prevent targeted violence before it happens…

Health and Wellness

play sound

The 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn federal abortion protections continues to be felt. New research now suggests states where bans have …

Notably, one poll found nearly half of people who hold anti-abortion views are supportive of medical aid-in-dying legislation. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Advocates are urging Maryland lawmakers to support a bill that would approve medical aid in dying for people who are terminally ill. A poll last …

Health and Wellness

play sound

Open enrollment for health insurance from the online marketplace is over, but Wyoming experts are reminding tribal members that they qualify to …

play sound

Union workers across Montana are celebrating the death of a bill which would have given employees the right to choose whether to join a union when hir…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021