SRU's autism support lauded
SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University has been named one of the nation's best small colleges or universities for students on the autism spectrum.
SRU was ranked by appliedbehavioranalysisprograms.com as one of the 30 best small schools for students on the spectrum for 2020.
“At Slippery Rock University, students on the autism spectrum are offered ample support through the university's ATLAS Program,” the site said in its listing.
Natalie Burick, director of disability services at SRU, said ATLAS stands for Autism Transitions for Learning, Achievement and Support.
“We have a lot of focus on the program,” she said.
Burick said the office of disability services works with between 7 percent to 8 percent of SRU's student population, or between 600 and 700 of SRU's 8,806 students enrolled in the fall.
According to Burick, of that number, the department works with around 30 students on the autism spectrum.
“We take a more holistic approach,” Burick said. “I feel what sets us apart is we do spend that time with the students individually.”Jessica Whittington, a third-year graduate student in the Student Affairs and College Counseling program, works alongside Burick and meets with students individually.“Their first meeting with me consists of a navigation meeting,” Whittington said. “That's where they fill out paperwork about their likes or dislikes and their challenges related to school.”Whittington said many of the students in the program set goals of improving either their social behavior or working toward career development.
“Last semester, we started game nights, where the students would come and we would play UNO or Taboo, and then we would watch a movie of some sort,” Whittington said. “I would also bring snacks and stuff like that.”Burick said another key focus is helping the students in the program with executive functioning, which are daily tasks such as scheduling or prioritizing tasks. Students may have had support with these tasks from their families at home, and the program at SRU can help facilitate the transition to more independent development of these tasks.Burick said the program has shown its success in a number of ways, including returning students and high GPA marks.The overall average GPA for the students in the ATLAS program is 3.21.
“I think it's important that they are coming back and continually seeking service with us. I think they've grown to trust us, which is awesome,” Burick said. “The program has grown a lot and the students have too in all that we're doing.”Whittington calls the ranking a testament to the program's attentive style of help.“I would also say that I rate success by the number of suggestions coming from the students about how to improve the program,” she said, adding the positive feedback further motivates ATLAS staff to continue moving forward with their holistic approach and strategies.“When I saw that, I put a lot more pressure on myself for this semester,” she said. “How can we grow?”Whittington said she wants to do more outside field trips, and ATLAS students have responded positively to the idea with suggestions of their own. She said they are guiding the future of the program.“I definitely feel pressured, but also excited, that this program is working for the students,” Whittington said. “I think it can grow tremendously more, and in a couple of years, it can be No. 1 on that list.”
