Dr. Michael Duggan, LCPC, CRC, is a Professor and a Counselor for Students with Disabilities at College of DuPage (COD), where he is well known for his expertise and his passion for empowering students with disabilities. In his twelve years at COD he has helped establish the Vocational Skills Program, a program for students with developmental disabilities, and Autismerica, a social/support group for students on the autism spectrum. He has also been awarded COD's Outstanding Divisional Faculty of the Year, Outstanding Academic Advisor of the Year, and Outstanding Club Advisor of the Year for his work on Autismerica. Before coming to COD, he directed the second largest college Disability Services program in Oregon at Chemeketa Community College and was elected as President of the Oregon Association of Higher Education and Disability (ORAHEAD), advocating for equality and improved services for college students with disabilities.
Acknowledgements. Preface. 1. My first failure. 2. The phantom success story. 3. The first year of college: what to expect and how to help students succeed. 4. Anxiety: the silent partner. 5. Technology: our friend and enemy. 6. Relationships: from friendships to dating and sex. 7. Career exploration and life after college: what's next? 8. Regarding developmental and intellectual disabilities. 9. What makes a good counselor? 10. Autismerica: one of the proudest accomplishments of my career. 11. For parents and professionals alike: lessons learned from the field of rehabilitation counseling. 12. Effective teaching interventions. 13. Teaching interpersonal communications. 14. What students on the spectrum want the rest of us to know. 15. What I wish parents, students, and everyone else would know. 16. Taking care of yourself. 17. Concluding thoughts. Epilogue.
'Dr. Michael Duggan has been a dedicated and effective advocate for students on the autism spectrum and their families for over 20 years. He has created the ultimate guide to show how to assist these students and their families with the daunting task of the transition from high school to college. This book is a compassionate, step-by-step companion for college counsellors and aspiring college students to deal with everything from friendships, romance, academic success to disability support services.' - Maria Rago, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist 'I had the good fortune to work with Michael at the College of DuPage and saw the beginnings of his work with Autismerica. This amazing book translates his experiences into practical tips for anyone working with students on the spectrum who want to provide a supportive, successful environment. Highly recommend!' - Dr. Lisa Stock, Dean of Academic Affairs, Ellsworth Community College 'This book, which addresses college advisors and counselors, faculty, and parents, is the key to uniting a team of support for any college student with autism. Dr. Duggan has given us an accessible, upbeat, and realistic guide, with clear advice for a wide range of challenging situations.' - Karin Evans, PhD, Professor of English, College of DuPage
