the podcast series
season 6
MAY 2025–
episodes 47–
“The best way to learn is just from going out and doing something—talking to people, being a part of of an organization, or going to events. It’s not always going to be easy, but the only way to get better at anything is to keep doing it— and have experiences.”
—James
Episode 53
ABIGAIL HEARTS KENT STATE — Choosing a non-degree autism support program close to home
LISTEN 
Abigail is in her second semester at Kent State University, and she’s thriving. She chose Kent State’s non-degree program for students with autism after comparing several autism support programs and deciding this campus offered the right mix of courses, dorm life, activities, and being close enough to home for weekend support.
In this episode, Abigail shares what took adjusting during her first semester, what’s working now (classes, routines, and campus life), and how she’s thinking about the two-year vs. four-year path. A warm, practical student story about transitioning to college on the spectrum and building a setup that fits.
Episode 52
The Common App makes it easy. But should you apply to 15 colleges? (Common App + Autism College Advice)
LISTEN
Myles has already been accepted to 10 colleges, and as an autistic student, having real options is both exciting and overwhelming.
A drummer planning to major in Music or Art History, Myles applied widely, focusing on colleges with strong academic programs and meaningful support for autistic students.
His acceptances include Trinity University (TX), University of Puget Sound (WA), Loyola University Chicago (IL), Marquette University (WI), Whitman College (WA), Wheaton College (MA), Drexel University (PA), and more.
Now comes the harder decision: choosing the right fit. Living in Los Angeles, Myles knows climate matters (long, cold winters are a real concern), but so do campus culture, academic flexibility, disability supports, and overall quality of life.
In this episode of Autism Goes to College, Myles shares: how he built his college list as an autistic student; what “support” actually looks like when comparing schools; how he plans to make a final decision; and what he would change if he were starting the process again.
For autistic students and parents, navigating college admissions, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at choosing a school when multiple acceptances are on the table.
Blake and Ishaan are loving life on campus, taking classes and working at internship jobs.
Both are part of the UCDavis Redwood SEED Scholar program, which supports California students (ages 18-23) on the spectrum (and with other learning differences) who want a full college experience. For Blake, now a third-year student, that includes the program’s foundational classes in math and language arts, plus a choice of classes from all that’s offered across UCDavis. One of his faves so far: a quarter spent learning about the geology of national parks. Plus, Blake has two very different internships- take a listen to hear more. Ishaan also feels the program is a perfect match for him. Now in his second year, Ishaan enjoyed dorm life from the start. He is super involved with his internship supporting the volleyball teams. Academically, Ishaan has chosen a mix of classes and appreciates the peer mentors and tutors. These guys can’t say enough great things about the whole experience- take a listen to hear more!
Lindsey W. is killing it in her classes. She’s now a junior at Appalachian State in Boone, NC, and has a few strategies helping her tackle the more intense coursework in her major, communication sciences. Neuroanatomy and physiology aren’t easy, but she’s doing it. She’s made friends in her classes and joined study groups, and continues to go to her professors’ office hours. She’s also part of Christian intervarsity bible studies and has become active in the neurodiversity club, now that the group is now growing and taking on some projects she cares about. Take a listen to how Lindsey continues to thrive, and she starts to think about what comes after graduation.
This fall there’s been a firehose of autism news — stirring up old controversies, confusing parents and families, impacting students on the spectrum now at college, and even challenging autism researchers. In this special episode, host Katharine O’Brien talks with Dr. Katherine Meltzoff, professor of education at UCRiverside and director of the SEARCH Family Autism Resource Center about how teaching and learning about autism is being impacted and how students on the spectrum are faring. Big picture, one possible outcome could be a re-segmenting the autism spectrum.
Episode 48
Working AND grad school? Two stars from the documentary discuss why they went back, what’s different, and time-management tips
LISTEN
Both Jasmine and Aniella graduated from UCRiverside and found jobs pretty quickly doing what they hoped to do. For Jasmine, putting her engineering degree to work on a project with the California Department of Transportation was a dream job, while Aniella still feels lucky to be working in the entertainment industry in LA. But after a few years in the work world, both decided to go back for more schooling, part time. In this episode they talk with host Katharine O’Brien (a Phd student with autism) about why they decided to go back for more school, what’s different about grad school, and how they each hope the investment in an added credential could help them meet future goals. Interested in Antarctica and tips on time management? This ep has it all.
Episode 47
It’s Back to School…at UCLA for Peri
LISTEN
Peri begins her junior year at UCLA this fall quarter, and she’s back to tell the story of her decision to transfer from a small liberal arts college in the northeast to a big public university much closer to home. UCLA is the most applied-to school in the country. So how did she do it? And why? In this episode, Peri talks about her decision to leave Hamilton, how it went taking classes at Santa Monica Community College for a couple of years, and how she chose four schools, all closer to home, as targets for her transfer. Peri discusses finding her strengths, overcoming struggles, and offers insights on what works for her as a student on the spectrum.
Episode 52
The Common App makes it easy. But should you apply to 15 colleges? (Common app + Autistic college advice)
LISTEN
Myles has already been accepted to 10 colleges—and as an autistic student, having real options feels both exciting and overwhelming.
A drummer who plans to major in Music or Art History, Myles cast a wide net across the country, looking for schools with strong programs in his interests and meaningful supports for students on the autism spectrum.
His list includes:
- Trinity University (San Antonio, TX)
- University of Puget Sound (Tacoma, WA)
- Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, IL)
- Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI)
- Whitman College (Walla Walla, WA)
- Wheaton College (Massachusetts)
- Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)…and more.
But now comes the hard part: choosing. Myles lives in Los Angeles and has realized he’s not thrilled about the idea of a long, cold winter—plus there are a dozen other factors that matter when you’re picking a school that truly fits.
In this episode of Autism Goes to College, Myles breaks down:
✅ How he built his college list (and what he prioritized)
✅ What “support” actually means when you’re comparing schools
✅ How he’ll make the final decision once all offers are in
✅ What he’d do differently if he could start over
If you’re an autistic student (or a parent) navigating college admissions, this conversation is a practical look at what it’s really like to weigh multiple acceptances and find the right next step.
Listen now and tell us in the comments: What matters most to you when choosing a college—program strength, location, supports, campus vibe, or something else?
Blake and Ishaan are loving life on campus, taking classes and working at internship jobs.
Both are part of the UCDavis Redwood SEED Scholar program, which supports California students (ages 18-23) on the spectrum (and with other learning differences) who want a full college experience. For Blake, now a third-year student, that includes the program’s foundational classes in math and language arts, plus a choice of classes from all that’s offered across UCDavis. One of his faves so far: a quarter spent learning about the geology of national parks. Plus, Blake has two very different internships- take a listen to hear more. Ishaan also feels the program is a perfect match for him. Now in his second year, Ishaan enjoyed dorm life from the start. He is super involved with his internship supporting the volleyball teams. Academically, Ishaan has chosen a mix of classes and appreciates the peer mentors and tutors. These guys can’t say enough great things about the whole experience- take a listen to hear more!
Lindsey W. is killing it in her classes. She’s now a junior at Appalachian State in Boone, NC, and has a few strategies helping her tackle the more intense coursework in her major, communication sciences. Neuroanatomy and physiology aren’t easy, but she’s doing it. She’s made friends in her classes and joined study groups, and continues to go to her professors’ office hours. She’s also part of Christian intervarsity bible studies and has become active in the neurodiversity club, now that the group is now growing and taking on some projects she cares about. Take a listen to how Lindsey continues to thrive, and she starts to think about what comes after graduation.
This fall there’s been a firehose of autism news — stirring up old controversies, confusing parents and families, impacting students on the spectrum now at college, and even challenging autism researchers. In this special episode, host Katharine O’Brien talks with Dr. Katherine Meltzoff, professor of education at UCRiverside and director of the SEARCH Family Autism Resource Center about how teaching and learning about autism is being impacted and how students on the spectrum are faring. Big picture, one possible outcome could be a re-segmenting the autism spectrum.
Episode 48
Working AND grad school? Two stars from the documentary discuss why they went back, what’s different, and time-management tips
LISTEN
This fall there’s been a firehose of autism news — stirring up old controversies, confusing parents and families, impacting students on the spectrum now at college, and even challenging autism researchers. In this special episode, host Katharine O’Brien talks with Dr. Katherine Meltzoff, professor of education at UCRiverside and director of the SEARCH Family Autism Resource Center about how teaching and learning about autism is being impacted and how students on the spectrum are faring. Big picture, one possible outcome could be a re-segmenting the autism spectrum.
Episode 47
It’s Back to School…at UCLA for Peri
LISTEN
Peri begins her junior year at UCLA this fall quarter, and she’s back to tell the story of her decision to transfer from a small liberal arts college in the northeast to a big public university much closer to home. UCLA is the most applied-to school in the country. So how did she do it? And why? In this episode, Peri talks about her decision to leave Hamilton, how it went taking classes at Santa Monica Community College for a couple of years, and how she chose four schools, all closer to home, as targets for her transfer. Peri discusses finding her strengths, overcoming struggles, and offers insights on what works for her as a student on the spectrum.