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The Catholic University of America recognizes that autistic students* may face unique challenges that pose significant barriers to completion of their secondary degree. Such students could benefit from a comprehensive and tailored support program that plays to their strengths, while also focusing on areas for improvement. Catholic University is the first university in Washington, DC to offer this direct support for autistic students.
With a generous donation from alum Mary R. Cohen, Ph.D., CASP will support autistic students in building skills to help them thrive at Catholic University, including those related to self-care and self-advocacy. Further, the program aims to create a comprehensive community of support by engaging university faculty and administrators to educate them on the needs of autistic students and strategies to support them.
CASP Components
CASP Components
Groups meet for one hour every week over the duration of one semester
Augment skills most challenging to emerging adults with ASD adjusting to college life
Upperclassmen peer mentors paired with incoming autistic students
Focused on the transition to CUA and managing social and academic responsibilities
Develop systemic and sustained change through workshops, webinars, training materials, CASP Ambassadors, and an advisory committee
Train Graduate & Undergraduate Students
Train Graduate & Undergraduate Students
Increase interest and ability of undergraduate and graduate students to enter the field
Create long-term, ripple effects in the external community upon graduation
Examine Programmatic Effects
Examine Programmatic Effects
Examine the program's true effects through continued research and evaluation
Key Features of CASP
Identity and Self-Advocacy
Time Management
Conversations and Friends
Stress Management
Interacting with Faculty
Conflict Resolution
Academic & Study Skills
Motivation and Flexibility
Family
Romantic Relationships
Internet Safety
Setting Goals
*Taboas, A., Doepke, K., & Zimmerman, C. (2022). Preferences for identity-first versus person-first language in a US sample of autism stakeholders. Autism, 2, 565-570. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221130845
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