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We hope others will find out about RCPD and be able to obtain the high quality of living and education we experienced.
-Hal & Phyllis Wochholz, 2007 Outstanding Alumni

Asperger Syndrome

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Welcome

Michigan State University provides academic and workplace services and accommodations to persons with Asperger Syndrome. RCPD works to foster independence in the learning process, and assists both students and employees in learning to utilize appropriate strategies, accommodations, and other resources. The following information is meant to be helpful to you as you seek answers to your questions about services and accommodations for persons with Asperger Syndrome. We look forward to working with you to help maximize your experience at MSU! (more information about Asperger Syndrome)

Getting Started with RCPD (MyProfile)

Log on to MyProfile to register with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. MyProfile provides online forms and initiates communication with a Disability Specialist.

Documentation

Persons with Asperger Syndrome must provide recent documentation (a suggested guideline for recency is 3 years) including a case history prior to an initial meeting for a needs assessment.

Documentation of a disability must appear on official letterhead from a licensed medical or diagnostic professional and include:

  • a specific statement of the diagnosis
  • area(s) and degree of involvement
  • summary of related functional limitations (including social, behavioral, and academic)
  • recommendations for accommodations

After documentation of a disability has been provided and a needs assessment is completed, reasonable accommodations are determined. RCPD will provide a verification letter that includes: (a) verification of disability and status as a student or employee registered with the RCPD (b) an outline of reasonable accommodations.

Students will receive a Verified Individualized Services and Accommodations letter, otherwise known as a VISA.

Confidentiality

RCPD adheres to strict standards of confidentiality in the management of student information. Since RCPD is the only holder of disability documentation, all disability-related documentation should be directed to RCPD (not other campus departments).

Requesting Accommodations

RCPD recognizes that accommodations may be required in order to assist individuals in maximizing their educational and workplace experience at MSU. While the university provides reasonable accommodations, we do not change essential academic requirements or job functions. Accommodation determinations are based on documentation and individualized needs assessment.

Before Requesting Accommodations, students and employees must Identify and Register as a person with a disability and provide appropriate documentation of their disability to RCPD. Employees should refer to the Reasonable Accommodations Policy for University Applicants and Employees, for the procedure on requesting worksite accommodations.

Students and employees with asperger syndrome may be eligible to receive the following accommodations facilitated by RCPD::

Resources

Building Community

MSU provides many venues for collaboration and community building on disability issues. Please consider becoming involved in organizations including:

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have further questions that have not been answered on this page, please refer to the FAQ Page.

The Specialist Spotlight

Welcome To Aspie Hangout!
This is a forum for young adults with Asperger Syndrome to get together
and discuss issues affecting their lives.


Facts & Statistics from the National Autistic Society

 

There are many common myths that surround autism. Here we try to separate fact from fiction.

Myth

Reality

Autism (including Asperger syndrome) is a rare condition

Autism is no longer seen as a rare condition and is thought to affect around 535,000 people in the UK today

Autism is a new phenomenon

The first detailed description of a child we now know had autism was written in 1799 by Jean Itard in his account of the wild boy of Aveyron.

Autism is the result of emotional deprivation or emotional stress

Autism is a complex developmental disability involving a biological or organic defect in the functioning of the brain

Autism is due to parental rejection or cold, unemotional parents

Autism has nothing whatsoever to do with the way parents bring up their children

A person with autism cannot be educated

With the right structured support within and outside of school, individuals with autism can be helped to reach their full potential

People with autism wish to avoid social contact

People with autism are often keen to make friends but, due to their disability, find this difficult

People with autism look different from other people

Autism is an invisible disability - most people with an autistic spectrum disorder look just like anyone else who does not have this condition

Autism is a childhood condition

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability with no cure. Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism

www.nas.org

Contact Information

Virginia Rutan

Virginia Rutan

Cognitive Disabilities
Brain Injury
Student-Athlete Liaison
(517) 884-1908


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