Frequently Asked Questions

Autism is referred to as a spectrum because it’s different for every autistic individual. Here at Marian University, we strive to respect and support every student based on their unique needs. All members of our collegiate campus are an integral part of our community and are an essential piece of the Marian Knight family.

Students and staff assisted in naming our autism program, Spectrum of Knights, to embrace the difference of each individual on the spectrum and to further promote our campus and individual identity as proud Marian Knights.  

No, you don’t have to have a medical diagnosis or documentation. However, you do need to identify as autistic, or neurodivergent, in order to be a member of Spectrum of Knights. Individual’s eligibility to participate in the program will be determined through an online application and interview with the Autism Coordinator.

In order to receive ADA Classroom or Campus Accommodations, you will need to complete the Personalized Learning Center’s separate process which includes submitting documentation of diagnosis and accommodation history. 

The Personalized Learning Center (PLC) staff, along with students and faculty, engage in an interactive process to ensure accommodations are set up in a reasonable and supportive manner. The Personalized Learning Center is a free service provided to all Marian students with all different types of disabilities and diagnoses. Spectrum of Knights is a specialized fee-based program which provides additional social and academic support to our neurodiverse population. Students in the SOK program are still eligible to receive accommodations through the PLC and will have additional opportunities to engage with the program for support, encouragement, and mentorship in all aspects of campus life. Students may receive ADA Classroom and/or Campus Accommodations through the PLC without being involved in the Spectrum of Knights.

Marian University greatly values the role that parents and families play in supporting students and recognizes that families of autistic individuals have been closely involved in planning their student’s educational goals and experiences for many years. We also value the development of student’s self-advocacy and the Spectrum of Knights works diligently to support students in the growth of these skills.

Program participants can sign the Personalized Learning Center’s Consent to Obtain/Release Information Form which allows us to communicate with families on the student’s behalf. Even with this form signed, we will only discuss information with parents in the presence of the student.  Spectrum of Knights students understand that if they miss consecutive program requirements, or if staff is concerned about their safety, their parents/guardians may be contacted. 

We believe that living on campus is a wonderful developmental opportunity for all students and helps to promote socialization and independence. However, if students meet the stated Marian University Housing Policy exemption they will not be required to live on campus as part of the Spectrum of Knights program.

Students in the program will have the option to live with another program participant, or they can live with a different roommate anywhere on campus. Housing accommodations may also be available through the Personalized Learning Center’s Accommodation Request process.

No, any current, neurodivergent Marian University student can join the Spectrum of Knights program. All students will go through the same application and interview process and a student’s cohort in the program will be determine based on multiple factors. Fees for the program are paid for a full semester, so students will be allowed to join prior to the start of the Fall or Spring semester each year. 

No, Spectrum of Knights is a semester-based program. This means that students can choose to participate in the program one semester or academic year and then make the decision to continue or opt out of the program. If students choose to not continue in the program, they will not remain eligible to receive the additional supports provided through the Spectrum of Knights.

We believe it is a student’s right to disclose program participation and/or disability on campus and in the world. Therefore, the Spectrum of Knights will not communicate your program membership or diagnosis with anyone outside of a need-to-know basis.

However, Spectrum of Knights encourages student’s self-advocacy and believe that in some instances disclosure of identity can be very beneficial in personal and professional relationship building. The Autism Coordinator will act as a listening ear and support system to students as they navigate the collegiate environment and what self-advocacy means to each individual participant.

Spectrum of Knights is unable to provide supports to graduate students at this time. If graduate students are in need or support, we encourage them to engage with the Personalized Learning Center to see about ADA accommodations.