Overview
ACC is proactively empowering its neurodiverse students to make their contribution to the world through the provision of intensive interventions designed to allow neurodiverse students to thrive in college, employment environments, and beyond. During AY23, strategic guidance intended to be transformational to the student experience of ACC’s neurodiverse population was identified, designed, and formalized through the Student Experience and Outcomes (SE&O) division of ACC Student Affairs.
As ACC seeks social and economic equity for its student body, the college is proactively embracing opportunities to change the employment and earning trajectories of our increasing neurodiverse student population. Neurodiverse individuals who are employed are generally characterized as having a high retention rate, are innovative leaders, think outside the box, tend to be natural problem-solvers, and are loyal employees. Yet, neurodiverse individuals remain an untapped workforce, while employers still search for qualified talent.
Accomplishments
Agile and inclusive approaches are being implemented to welcome and support neurodivergent learners at ACC. Following are three highlights:
- The SE&O Department reorganized in fall 2023 so that all professional-technical employees and faculty career counselors are now able to supervise and coach student-workers. During spring 2023, the entire SE&O staff (which includes Student Life, Student Impact & Outcomes, Career Counseling & Career Services, Transfer Services, and the administrative team) engaged in neurodiversity sensitivity training. In addition, all Make It Center staff and other select student-facing employment- related colleagues joined SE&O in the training to help ensure their departments are neurodiverse-friendly. Fifty-six employees who will coach students or supervise student-workers, also underwent additional training to earn the Certified Neurodiverse Professional (CNP) credential. This trail-blazing endeavor was initiated by Transformation Coach, Samantha Thomson in collaboration with Larry Davis, Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, and was undertaken with the support of Provost Dr. Monique Umphrey.
- Transformation coaching (aimed at breaking down systemic barriers) was established during AY23 and, as illustrated above, is making significant strides toward creating a more equitable and accessible future for neurodiverse students. Transformation coaching proactively equips students with the skills and strategies needed to effectively navigate college, the work environment, and beyond. The transformation coach harnesses their in-depth expertise of neurodiversity and applies a strengths-based approach. Social skills development, executive functioning strengthening, faculty consultation, various assessments, digital fluency support, and strategies for effectively navigating barriers are all part of transformation coaching. In addition, transformation coaches work with employers as well as local, state, and national leaders to positively influence inclusive practices and social change.
- ACC’s ACCess Autism, one of the first U.S. student organizations led by and for neurodiverse students, continues to be a conduit for emerging leaders to make their contribution within ACC and beyond. ACCess Autism received two distinguishing Student Life awards in AY23: (1) Organization of the Year for its contribution in all four areas of organizational management (membership, learning environment, community, and diversity) and for its effort and excellence in supporting student success; and (2) Outstanding Collaboration in Mission and Execution for the group’s work with Greenleaf Neurodiversity Community Center, The Autism Society of Texas, and ACC’s chief diversity equity and inclusion officer to build a peer mentorship program and strengths-based culture throughout ACC and the Austin area to support the neurodiverse community.
Impact
Students who received transformation coaching have overwhelmingly reported satisfaction and value. Preliminary data during the demonstration project indicates students who significantly engaged with their Transformation Coach (n=48) persisted at a rate of 81.25% from fall 2022 to spring 2023 (11.53% higher than the corresponding overall ACC persistence rate). Integrating career readiness training and applied learning experiences with high-tech, high-impact strategic guidance and coaching (over the length of a student’s enrollment), coupled with intensive interventions attuned to the unique needs of neurodivergent learners, is proving to be a transformational catalyst in the trajectories of neurodiverse students.
Next Steps
- The SE&O division is in the final phase of the process to become a Certified Neurodiverse Workplace (CNW). Student-workers exposed to neurodiverse inclusive practices while at ACC are the leaders and employers of tomorrow throughout Central Texas. It is believed we are planting the seed for Austin to become a neurodiverse-friendly city. Also, because SE&O employees work with 3000+ local employers, our inclusive focus and training will positively influence the Austin employer network. And finally, it is hoped ACC will embrace the Certified Neurodiverse Workplace concept and seek to secure the CNW credential as a college, thus becoming the first community college in the U.S. to achieve this distinction.
- Professional development training for ACC faculty and staff with the goal of scaling inclusivity, accessibility, and support for neurodiverse students will be developed and made available via collaboration with neurodiverse student leaders and Transformation Coaches.
- A virtual reality (VR) training intervention to improve executive functioning, social cognition, and digital skills for neurodiverse students will launch fall 2023. The VR intervention, currently under development, will help students build critical skills as well as overcome social anxiety through a highly immersive, interactive, low-stakes environment.