The College Fix: Colleges Expand Support

Colleges expand support for people with autism, other developmental disorders ANNA LOFGREN - UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND, JULY 20, 2023 ... Willamette University’s program for “neurodiverse” students, College Access Navigators, or CAN, provides services like peer mentoring with a focus on “collaborative problem solving,” according to a CAN slideshow. Additional services provided by CAN include scheduling ...more about The College Fix: Colleges Expand Support


What does it mean to be an autism-supportive college? Neurodiversity Navigators in EdTech Magazine

Bellevue’s Neurodiversity Navigators Program: “We use a threefold approach,” Sanders Gardner says. “We support our students, their strengths and job skills. Second, we help them find ways to remove their barriers, whether it’s college accommodation, workplace skills, social relationships and so forth. Finally, we help them with self-advocacy, where they learn to speak up for ...more about What does it mean to be an autism-supportive college? Neurodiversity Navigators in EdTech Magazine


Neurodiversity Navigators in TEEN VOGUE

Abby Leaver can fit her whole life into a dorm room. Within the confines of small, apartment-style student housing, the Bellevue College resident assistant (RA) attends online classes and violin lessons, participates in Zoom happy hours and online games with friends, and cares for her cat. She’s doing the things many college students are doing ...more about Neurodiversity Navigators in TEEN VOGUE


Bellevue College Recognized as Best College for Students with Autism

Author: Angela Poe Russell, KING 5 Evening (KING 5) Published: 4/22/2020 12:26:30 AMUpdated: 7:43 PM PDT April 21, 2020 BELLEVUE, Wash. — Neurodiversity Navigators, formerly known as Autism Spectrum Navigators, tries to make one thing very clear - the program is designed to build on students' strengths, rather than fix perceived deficits.  In addition to typical college coursework, students ...more about Bellevue College Recognized as Best College for Students with Autism



USA Today – Autism in College: These Schools Offer Support

  What autism support programs do Erik Uri, a computer science major who graduated from Bellevue last year with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, said advocating for himself was one of the most important things he learned there. Uri recalled a situation in which his grade dropped significantly because he didn’t turn in a ...more about USA Today – Autism in College: These Schools Offer Support


Conference at BC to Help Autistic Students Navigate Collegiate, Workplace Success

Up to 200 autistic high school and college students, their family members, and the educators and professionals who support them will converge on the Bellevue College (BC) campus May 11 for a truly unique conference, “Imagine Your Future in STEM” which will focus on “Autism and STEM: Fostering Balanced and Inclusive Communities at School and ...more about Conference at BC to Help Autistic Students Navigate Collegiate, Workplace Success



Autism Spectrum Navigators BC 50th Anniversary

Autism Spectrum Navigators, started in 2011 at Bellevue College, helps the college celebrate their 50th Anniversary in this one-minute video that describes the ASN program.


5th Annual Autism Acceptance Video Game Tournament

Video Games tournament spreads autism awareness [VIDEO]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2016

Video Game Tourney to spread message of Autism Acceptance

Community can learn about condition that affects hundreds of thousands in U.S.

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Bellevue College will hold the fifth-annual Autism Acceptance Video Game Tournament during National Autism Awareness Month on Saturday, April 9 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. to increase understanding about autism and raise community awareness of its innovative Autism Spectrum Navigators program.

Admission to the event is free and for just $10, players of all ages can enter and compete in a Nintendo Wii U Super Smash Bros. tournament, with prizes handed out to the top competitors. Past year’s prizes have included systems, games, and other exclusive items from the Microsoft Xbox Development Team, Fish, Suckerpunch Productions, and ArenaNet among others. All video game equipment will be provided.

Other attractions include:

  • Student panel from the Autism Spectrum Navigators Program with Q & A
  • Trevor Pacelli, alumni, author, & university graduate will speak about his experiences in college
  • Vendors, a quiet room, kids’ play room, board games, food for purchase, and more!

Bellevue College created the Autism Spectrum Navigators program in 2011 to help autistic students successfully gain access to campus programs and services. Students in the program utilize a network of support, including meetings each week with trained peer mentors and participation in cohort classes along with their chosen programs of study. Other colleges are taking notice: Central Washington University partnered with Bellevue College and started their own Autism Spectrum Navigators program last spring. BC is currently in talks with several other colleges and universities interested in bringing the ASN program to their campuses.

“Part of our mission is to educate the campus and community about autism spectrum disorders to dispel the myths that abound about autism. Autistic students deserve to be recognized for the diversity and strengths they bring to our community,” said ASN Program Director Sara Gardner, who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder herself.

WHAT:  Fifth-annual Autism Acceptance Video Game Tournament

WHEN:  Saturday, April 9; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHERE:  Student Union, C Building, Bellevue College, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA

WHO:  People of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate in the tournament

COST:  Free admission to event; $10 fee to participate in the tournament

PARKING: Free weekend parking on the Bellevue College campus. Metro Transit route 271 stops on the Bellevue College campus.

QUESTIONS:  Visit http://www.facebook.com/ASNavigators or contact (425) 564-2764 or asn@bellevuecollege.edu

Media Contact:

Evan Epstein | Public Relations Manager

(425) 564-2486| evan.epstein@bellevuecollege.edu