Live in a College Dorm With Someone Who Has a Asperger's Syndrome or High Functioning Autism

Living with someone with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder can be hard. Find out if you have the patience to do it before you 'jump in'.

Steps

 * 1)  Try to find out what your roommate's interests are.  See if you have any common interests.  If the person has Asperger's, he might have sonme really obscure interests.
 * 2)  Don't feel that if your roommate is doing something you don't like or you feel it is disrespectful then tell them, don't be afraid you will hurt their feeling just because they  have Asperger/Autism.
 * 3)  If they continue to do it (see above step) then tell them it really bugs you.  Try to let them understand your feelings on the issue.
 * 4)  If it does not work out then try find other living arrangements.  Some people with autism/Asperger may prefer to be alone, but roommates are essential for them.

Tips

 * Find out sensory issues of your roommate (smells, fabrics, textures that your roommate does not like etc.)
 * Remember that they are a person first and a person with Asperger/Autism second.
 * If they act cold or ignore you, they don't necessarily dislike you. If they are not rejecting you overtly, there is a good chance you are misreading shyness or awkwardness as dislike.
 * Make sure you do not bother them during their study time, they will not be able to work if you do that (due to sensory issues).

Warnings

 * If it does not work out then find different living arrangements, if you stay with your Asperger/Autism roommate and are generally not happy then it is worse for you and your roommate if you stay.

Things You'll Need

 * Books on Asperger/Autism.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Protect Your Identity on Campus
 * How to Survive Pledgeship in a Fraternity
 * How to Live within the Rules of Dorm Life
 * How to Get Involved at a University
 * How to Start a Fraternity
 * How to Feel Involved at University
 * How to Read College Brochures
 * How to Join a Sorority

Sources and Citations

 * Asperger syndrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 * Autism - Wikipedia, the free encycopedia
 * Autsim Specturm - Wikipedia, the free encyclopeia