A groundbreaking approach to ensuring success for college students with autism
Defiance College's ASD Affinity Program accepts academically-qualified college applicants
who might require help in navigating the traditional college residential campus. Varying
levels of academic, social, and residential support assist students in personal growth
and in meeting their professional goals.
The program fosters independence for young adults with autism by providing a residential campus experience with numerous services in place to maximize opportunities for success and entry into the workforce. Participating students receive campus housing with support from trained resident advisors and peer interventionists.
The ASD Affinity Program builds on Defiance College's success with its Hench Autism Studies Program, in which high school students with autism receive high school-level instruction on the DC campus in coordination with Defiance City Schools.
NEWS
- Journal Gazette: DC Autism Program wins students' kudos
- Autism Speaks: These 5 students taught me to never define someone by a label
- Applied Behavior Analysis: 30 Best Colleges for Students on the Autism Spectrum
- Best Value Schools: 25 Best Colleges for Students with Autism in 2020
OUR STAFF
Clarissa Barnes, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Associate Professor of Special Education
Director of Hench Autism Studies Program
Phone: 419-783-2355
cbarnes@defiance.edu
PEER INTERVENTIONISTS
Each student in the ASD Affinity Program has a team of 2-4 peer interventionists.
Peer interventionists are DC undergraduates who have been selected to work for the
ASD Affinity Program based on faculty and staff recommendation. All peer interventionists
are trained and supervised by the program coordinator.
