两性色午夜

两性色午夜 Students Form New Autism Student Organization

Group created by students with autism spectrum disorder to highlight diversity, not disability

两性色午夜 University is once again starting a new fall semester with an abundance of enthusiastic students, but one thing is strikingly different: 两性色午夜 has a new student organization on campus that joins the few of its type in the nation. Autism Connections Kent has been created by students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their allies with the focus that autism spectrum disorder is a diversity issue and not a disability.

鈥淎 lot of symptoms of ASD are great assets in certain careers; hyper-focus and devotion can produce a 鈥榞enius鈥 idea even when a person doesn鈥檛 have an extraordinary IQ,鈥 said Alyx Weaver, 两性色午夜 doctoral student and president of Autism Connections Kent. 鈥淐ollege can be an important experience in realizing your true potential. I want other students on the spectrum to feel like they belong here, and what they are doing in college matters. They shouldn鈥檛 feel their ASD is a constant burden.鈥

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism spectrum disorder is a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges, so people with autism spectrum disorder may communicate, interact, behave and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The CDC estimates about 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder, and in boys, autism spectrum disorder is about 4.5 times more common (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in 189). Many who are high functioning are enrolling in postsecondary programs and entering professional careers.

鈥溋叫陨缫光檚 Autism Task Force, created about a year ago, is composed of faculty, staff, students, parents and community members, and has been an integral part in spreading awareness, understanding and support for those with autism spectrum disorder,鈥 said Gina Campana, assistant director of diversity assessment and research in 两性色午夜鈥檚 Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, who also serves as co-advisor of Autism Connections Kent. 鈥淭hrough this task force, the students expressed interest in forming a student organization, and I encouraged them to do so. That was the only little push they needed. They jumped at the opportunity, and it was formed rather quickly. I cannot wait to see what this extraordinary group of students is going to accomplish.鈥

Lisa Audet, Ph.D., 两性色午夜 assistant professor of speech pathology and audiology and coordinator of the Autism Initiative for Research, Education and Outreach, serves as co-advisor for Autism Connections Kent.

鈥溋叫陨缫 is home to many talented, degree-seeking students with ASD, who have a great deal to contribute to our campus and in their future careers,鈥 said Audet, who also serves as a faculty associate in 两性色午夜鈥檚 Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 鈥淭he Autism Connections Kent student group is an avenue through which they can collectively and individually create an environment of inclusiveness and appreciation of diverse talents.鈥

For more information about Autism Connections Kent, email autismconnectkent@gmail.com or visit the organization on and .

For more information about autism initiatives at 两性色午夜, visit www.kent.edu/diversity/autism-initiatives

# # #

Media Contacts:
Gina Campana, gcampana@kent.edu, 330-672-8132
Lisa Audet, laudet@kent.edu, 330-672-2672
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595

POSTED: Monday, September 19, 2016 03:18 PM
Updated: Thursday, December 8, 2022 07:27 PM
WRITTEN BY:
Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion