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Collaborating With Students With Autism and Psychological Disabilities

Dr. Cort Schneider

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What Is Autism?

Autism is a spectrum disability that impacts and Individuals ability to interact in social situations.

Individuals who are neurodivergent may be impacted socially in several ways:

    • They may miss typical social cues,
    • They may not make eye contact,
    • They may struggle adapting to change,
    • They may not show emotion in typical ways,
    • They may not be able to predict how others will react in given situations

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How May Autism Impact the Writing Process?

  • Students who are neurodivergent may have symptoms that impact the writing process. Some of these symptoms may include:
    • They may be very literal in their thinking and approach to writing,
    • They may struggle with ambiguity,
    • May use repetitive phrases or words,
    • May obsessive worry about what they cannot control,
    • May not give or receive feedback in typical ways.

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Working With Students With Psychological Disabilities

  • Data suggest that 30 percent of college students will experience a period of depression during their time in school.
  • During the last decade there has been a significant increase of students who identify as having psychological disabilities
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • PTSD

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How Do Psychological Disabilities Impact The Writing Relationship?

  • Students with psychological disabilities may be impacted by the writing process in several ways:
    • They may be overwhelmed starting an assignment,
    • They may struggle with perceived negative feedback about their writing,
    • They may assume the worst outcome,
    • They may internalize normal critique as a critique of their personal worth,
    • They may lack motivation to get started,
    • They may view writing assignment as a futile exercise.

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