This week:
Mental Health in Post-Secondary Education:

What is It Like for Students with ASD and What Does the Research Say?

Rashmeen Nirmal, PhD, RPsych

In this presentation, Dr. Rashmeen Nirmal provides key information on the mental health functioning of young autistic adults within the context of post-secondary settings including college and university.

Based on research that Dr. Nirmal’s did for her PhD dissertation, she provides useful insights into the management of common mental health symptoms in students with ASD, in particular, depression and anxiety. Recommendations for best practice in mental health service delivery and the provision of effective transition supports are discussed.

This research was one of the first projects where the researchers did an in-depth, systematic investigation of the lived experiences of autistic students in post-secondary education. The results of this research has implications for adolescents preparing for life after secondary school, as well as adults in secondary schools, colleges and universities.

Watch video.

As part of ACT’s Online Mental Health and Autism Project, we will be featuring a dozen new online videos this Fall/Winter season at Autism Videos @ ACT.

Next week: A panel discussion on the perspectives of Adults with ASD.

Dr. Nirmal is Program Leader for UBC’s PEERS: Social Skills Intervention for Teens with ASD. PEERS® is an evidence-based intervention program that is designed to help teens make and keep friends.

This 14-week program at UBC for Teens with ASD teaches peer-based social skills. Visit the program and application details on ACT’s Diverse Needs Community Events listing.