Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people, but people with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others need less.

A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. These conditions are now all called autism spectrum disorder. (CDC)

Children or adults with ASD might:

• have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
• avoid eye contact and want to be alone
• have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings
• be very interested in people, but not know how to talk or relate to them
• repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language
• have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
• repeat actions over and over again
• have trouble adapting when a routine changes
• have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound (CDC)

If you already have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, there are a few steps necessary to receive help from the Accessibility Center:

1. Complete the initial meeting form here.

2. Schedule an Intake Appointment with one of our coordinators by calling 801-422-2767. This appointment will take approximately 60 minutes and will review your history and symptoms.

3. Bring a copy of your documentation supporting your diagnosis to the Intake Appointment. If you do not have written documentation of your ASD diagnosis, please have your treatment professional complete the Documentation of Disability form and return it to the Accessibility Center in person or via fax (801-422-0174).

4. During your Intake Appointment your coordinator will review your information and determine what accommodations and/or further evaluations are applicable.

5. The UAC has an optional mentoring program for individuals with ASD. More information can be found here.

1. Complete the initial meeting form here.

2. Contact the UAC front desk (801-422-2767) and schedule an intake appointment with one of our disability coordinators. This appointment will take about 60 minutes and will review your history and symptoms.

3. At your intake appointment, your coordinator will talk to you about visiting a medical provider to see if you meet criteria for an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

4. If you meet with a mental health professional and the professional diagnoses you with a disability, have him/her complete a Documentation of Disability Form and return it to the UAC in person or via fax (801-422-0174).

While the general convention is to have documentation of a disability before meeting with us, if you experience any problems obtaining documentation, please feel free to schedule an appointment with a coordinator, who will talk with you about your options. These options may possibly include receiving provisional accommodations or we may connect you with resources outside of our office.