Hi! My younger brother will be starting at ISU as a first-year student in the fall. I'm a bit concerned because he is fairly autistic (he has a hard time in social situations, hasn't really had friends in his life so far, etc.). He's a really sweet kid, and very bright, but I'm concerned about a couple of things during his transition to college and was wondering if anyone here has insight on what to do.
- Roommates: I'm a bit concerned with him going the random roommate route. He is very anti-alcohol, and I think both he and his future roommate might have a tough year if they aren't aligned on this. I'm also concerned about the social dynamic when sharing a bedroom with someone for a year. What's the best way to make sure that he can find a roommate who will be a good match for him (and them)?
- Social life: Social situations have been a challenge for him. Are there any spaces or clubs on campus that are active and particularly good for students like him?
- Any other advice: If you or someone you know has been in this situation, I would love to hear your thoughts on what helped/if the school was a good choice for you. I'm excited for him to start a new chapter of his life, but nervous that he'll be ultimately isolated and lonely.
u/redsetgoaway — 12 days ago