Join us for my interview with Ryan Palm, Executive Director of the Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity at Mercyhurst University. Not only will you learn about the AIM program at Mercyhurst and how it supports autistic students, but we also cover how to research and evaluate these kinds of fee-based programs, how college is different from high school for neurodivergent students and what you can do as a parent of an autistic student to help prepare them for college while they're in high school.

Ryan Palm is the executive director of the Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity at Mercyhurst University and is working to expand the mission of the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) with a focus on increasing enrollment and building corporate relationships and employment opportunities. In this role, Ryan brings employment experience in three primary sectors, government, non profit, and corporate, and leverages those experiences and connections to help AIM students with their career aspirations. Ryan also identifies new partnership opportunities that will benefit both Mercyhurst students, as well as the external partner, creating a new or expanded pipeline of neurodivergent talent.

Also in this episode:

How Academic Coaching can help your neurodivegent student prepare for college.

Admission Tip of the Day: Make sure to be working on the following college ready skills while your student is in high school so they're most likely to have a successful transition to college.

• The ability to make decisions on their own.

• The ability to solve their own problems.

• Money management skills.

• Advocating for oneself

• Being able to complete work independently

Learn about Academic Coaching: https://thecollegespy.com/academic-coaching-package-high-school

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College Spotlight: Elon University

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Key points in this episode

1:52 Meet Ryan Palm

4:25 Introduction to AIM and how does the program support autistic students

6:00 Why autistic students struggle in college

6:45 Modifications vs Accommodations

8:44 Recommendations for researching fee-based college support programs

13:45 Admissions at AIM is not related to admissions at Mercyhurst

17:22 Academic Coaching to prepare students for college

18:20 Challenges for families as their students transition to college

19:53 FERPA waiver discussions

21:50 Fees and financial aid for a fee-based support program

24.35 CREATE program at Mercyhurst

30:28 Tip of the Day

31:15 College Spotlight: Elon University

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Learn more about Mercyhurst University’s AIM program: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/student-services/autism-initiative

Learn more about our Countdown to College Package - our concierge package as your personal college counselor: https://thecollegespy.com/countdown-to-college-package

Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services offered by Michelle and her team -- Go to The College Spy Website

Contact Michelle McAnaney at Michelle@TheCollegeSpy.com