Think College is the national resource center focused on inclusive higher education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities — including autistic students. For autism families thinking about post-secondary options for their child, Think College is the resource that maps what is actually possible. Most autism families have never heard of it. Most autistic adults who could have benefited from it never had it pointed out to them.

What Think College actually does

Think College, based at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston, operates as a national coordinating center. They maintain a comprehensive database of inclusive post-secondary programs across the United States, conduct research on outcomes, train institutions of higher education on inclusive program design, and provide direct technical assistance to families navigating the college transition.

"Inclusive post-secondary education" means college programs designed to serve students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, often including autistic students with co-occurring intellectual disability or significant support needs, on the same campus as typical college students. These programs vary widely — some are residential, some commuter; some lead to a credential, some focus on social and vocational outcomes; some are fully integrated, some are largely separate but on-campus.

Programs worth knowing

  • The Think College program database — searchable directory of inclusive programs nationally. Filter by state, by program model, by credential offered, by residential vs commuter.
  • Think College Network — professional development and peer learning for the programs themselves.
  • Family Resources — guides, webinars, and toolkits specifically for families navigating the post-secondary transition.
  • Research publications — outcomes data on inclusive programs, accessible to families and policy advocates.
  • State-level technical assistance — Think College has worked with many state systems on inclusive program development.

When to point families at Think College

When an autistic teen is 14-15 and the family is starting to think beyond high school. When transition planning in the IEP is approaching and the family does not know what post-secondary options exist beyond "college or no college." When an autistic teen wants the college experience but is not on a typical-college academic track. When a family is exploring the gap between high school graduation and traditional adult-services — the gap that Think College's programs are designed to fill.

What inclusive post-secondary actually looks like

Programs vary, but typical features include: dorm life on a regular college campus, classes (some audited, some for credit, some specially designed), social opportunities with typical peers, vocational and career-development components, internships, and support staff who help bridge the academic, social, and independent-living dimensions. Cost varies widely — some are funded substantially through state ID/DD systems or Medicaid waivers; some are private-pay.

How Think College fits the broader transition

For autistic teens who are on the typical college track academically, Think College is less directly relevant — though their general transition resources are still useful. For autistic teens with co-occurring intellectual disability or significant support needs, Think College may be the difference between "post-high-school dropout" and "real college experience with real outcomes." The data on outcomes for inclusive program graduates is genuinely encouraging.

Find them: thinkcollege.net. Search the program database for your state. Read the family resources. Start the conversation early — many of these programs have multi-year application timelines.

Source briefs (internal): webearish-audit-2026-05.md

Disclaimer: educational content from autistic adults and the autism family community. Not medical or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for medical and legal decisions specific to your situation.