COD is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, including those who are neurodiverse. With 1 in 36 students diagnosed on the autism spectrum and approximately 4% of our student body identifying with this diagnosis, we understand the unique challenges that neurodiverse students may face in navigating their college experience.
Whether you're seeking academic support, counseling services, or social opportunities, we're here to help you thrive.
College of DuPage is committed to equitable access to educational opportunities for eligible students with a disability, illness, injury, medical condition, or mental health condition.
Reasonable accommodations are determined through an interactive and individualized process with the student. This process begins with a request for services initiated by the student. All students requesting accommodations must self-identify with the Center for Access and Accommodations and provide appropriate documentation of their disability, illness, injury, or medical condition.
Students can begin requesting accommodations by filling out the Accommodations Request form.
Autismerica is a student organization for neurodiverse students to better educate themselves about COD and socialize in a safe and supportive environment. Autismerica organization is now in its 14th year as a part of COD, and has helped several chapters open throughout the country at various other higher education institutions throughout the years (but COD was the first).
Meetings average between 80 to 120 participants and include board and video games, karaoke, creative opportunities and fun. Parents and community members are also welcome. Find a future Autismerica meeting.
The COACH Program is a two-year cohort program for adults with mild to moderate intellectual or developmental disabilities. In addition to an academic focus on reading, writing, math, and computer literacy, COACH promotes social skills, independence, and career exploration. Find a Developmental Education workshop.
COD Buddies is a social club for COACH students, open to the entire COD community. Inspired by the popular Best Buddies, the focus is on fun, socialization and community-building rather than traditional one-on-one pairings.
At the start of each academic year, COACH student cohorts are connected to non-COACH students to learn what activities and events matter most to them. Student officers then work to bring those ideas to life. Past events include a Halloween Spooktacular and a Gratitude Gathering featuring yoga, meditation, and mindfulness coloring.
If you have questions or want to get involved, contact a faculty advisor:
- Amy Camp at campa@cod.edu
- Mary Childers at childersm@cod.edu
- Nicole Matos at matosn@cod.edu
Everyone is welcome—join for connection and fun!
COLLG 1110: Interpersonal Skills for Life and Work for Neurodiverse Learners
COLLG 1110 Interpersonal Communication Skills for Life and Work is a social skills development course offering sections for neurodiverse students only. The course employees a small classroom size and emphasizes student's understanding of human relations, identifying and decreasing self-defeating behaviors and exploring options for interpersonal development. Through an experiential approach, students can develop more satisfying and practical interpersonal skills for enhancing personal and work relationships, self-esteem, and understanding of behavior differences among persons from diverse backgrounds. For more information, contact the course instructor, Dr. Michael Duggan at duggan@cod.edu.
COLLG 1105 Career Development for Undecided Students
COLLG 1105 Career Development is a wonderful offering for students who are struggling upon choosing a field of study but not sure how to start. It takes an in-depth approach to self-exploration to help students learn more about themselves through various career interest inventories and occupational research. There is an honors section offered by Dr. Michael Duggan for academically exceptional neurodiverse students in addition to non-honors sections.
COLLG 1115: College Success Skills for New to COD Students
COLLG 1115 Career Development is an offering directed to new COD students that helps teach them the skills to successfully transition to college. n introduction to the strategies necessary for academic and personal success at the college level. Students will be given an orientation to the culture of higher education, transition to a college environment, and valuable resources. A range of skills will be covered, including self-care, emotional intelligence, time management, goal setting, note-taking, reading for comprehension, and developing self-awareness.
Speech 1100 for Neurodiverse Learners
As a core requirement for many degree programs here at the college, traditional Speech 1100 can be an intimidating course for some neurodiverse learners. The college offers a section each semester just for this population. For more information, contact professor Mia Poston at postons@cod.edu
English ALP/1101
English composition can also be a unique challenge for neurodiverse learners. The ALP program offers a unique offering which is intended for students whose placement indicates the need for additional instructional support to be successful in college-level writing. ENGLI 0493 requires concurrent enrollment in a linked section of ENGLI 1101 and provides intensive instruction, workshopping, and programming that supports students' development as writers, readers, and learners. Appointments with college staff who provide co-curricular programming are required. For more information, contact English Professors Nicole Matos matosm@cod.edu and Amy Camp campa@cod.edu.
The Learning Commons offers COD students free academic support through course-based tutoring, math, writing, reading and speech assistance, placement test review, general education development (GED), English as a Second Language (ESL) support and help navigating myACCESS and Blackboard.
Dr. Michael Duggan, LCPC, CRC, works in Counseling Services, which provides academic, career and personal counseling to students.
Dr. Duggan has been with the College for over 20 years, publishing and presenting several works on the topic of neurodiversity and college success. He can help new students get started, planning out classes, among other supportive services.
Visit Dr. Duggan's website for more information or schedule an appointment with him by calling (630) 942-2259.
Contact Information
Michael Duggan
Counselor for Students with Disabilities/Professor
(630) 942-2845
Email: duggan@cod.edu
Sheryl Ebersold
Accommodations Specialist
(630) 942-3798
Email: ebersold@cod.edu