Local Mom Creates Resource for Autistic Teens

A Minnesota mom is on a mission to help families who have children with autism.

Autism experts say resources are plentiful for families with young children, as early intervention is key. But when those youngsters transition from home life to college and beyond, the help dwindles.

At the age of 5, Dawn Marcotte’s daughter, Anna, was diagnosed with autism.

Anna is now 15.

For 10 years, her parents helped her get the school support she needs, but now as the sophomore starts getting letters from interested colleges, her mom has concerns.

“We’re still trying to get through high school,” Marcotte said. “The idea of college is very, very scary. She’s certainly intelligent enough to do it, it’s just a case of, she has support in high school, what about college?”

That’s the reason Dawn developed a website, www.ASD-DR.com, designed to help college-bound kids with autism pick the school that best fits their needs.

So far, there are 300 schools on the website from all over the country with all of the standard information like cost and living details.

They’re also divided into three additional categories: school, third party or friendly.

“A lot of schools do this themselves; they provide support specific to autistic students through school,” Marcotte said. “Not all do; some schools have third-party vendors in the area, and they will service multiple schools. Then there are some schools that have supports, but they are not specific to autistic, but they have shown themselves to be friendly.”

The site also has advice directly from autistic college students. Tips on everything from living arrangements to how to keep track of assignments are available under the Advice tab.

With more cases of autism being diagnosed, experts say Marcotte’s vision is helpful.

“A lot of our organizations in the Twin Cities have developed by the passions of mothers,” said Julie McKibbins with Fraser in Minneapolis, which specializes in autism and other special needs. “Any resources, any collection of information will help parents guide their way through this.”

The next two years will be filled with research for the Marcotte family, confident this new website will lead their daughter to the best college match.

“I started it to help myself but then realized there are a lot of people out there that need this information,” Marcotte said. “And that’s why I started to share it.”

Click here to see the interview as it appeared on KSTP Channel 5 News