“The CSP at Rutgers is providing my son who has a diagnosis of Asperger's with not only the support he needs but also with the confidence so he can be a successful student. They work with him on his academic skills and executive functioning skills while simultaneously encouraging age appropriate social development. Their peer mentor programs and social get togethers are top notch and every consideration is taken to help my son be a success at college, both in and out of the classroom. Perhaps the most important aspect is that the CSP has helped my son to finally believe in himself.“

-Miriam Motechin, Parent of a CSP student

Welcome to the Rutgers College Support Program (CSP.) The Rutgers College Support Program (CSP) recognizes and celebrates the diverse range of skills, abilities, and needs within our student population. Our commitment extends beyond individual support to a broader transformation of the educational landscape. We provide comprehensive education and training to university professors and staff, arming them with the knowledge to create inclusive environments that foster the success of neurodivergent students. Central to our approach is Rutgers CSP’s dedicated space: a purpose-built facility designed to be a vibrant hub for students to connect, relax, and build a supportive community.
 

Mission

We believe that as the student must grow and adapt, so must their surrounding community. We seek to empower students with ADHD and autism to speak up for themselves and their needs. We also provide students with skills and strategies so they are equipped to achieve success among the many challenges of today’s school and work environments. 

Commitment to Neurodiverse Student Success

Rutgers University is on a mission to be known as a place where students who think and learn differently are welcomed and included. To accomplish this, we brought together two centers from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) and the Center for Youth Social Emotional Wellness (CYSEW), to develop a holistic model that promotes student wellness and well-being. The CSP seeks to enrich the college experience and promote the overall success of university students with ASD and/or ADHD at all stages of their educational journey, from admission to graduation.

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The term “neurodiversity” describes the variety of different human minds or brains, which interact and experience the world in many different ways. It is a term often applied to individuals with diagnostic classifications such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and Tourette syndrome. It does not mean “bad,” “unqualified,” “incompetent,” or any other negative descriptor that many neurodivergent individuals have unfortunately been labeled throughout their lives.

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READ MORE: Rutgers Is Expanding Services for Students With ADHD and Autism

Initiated through Chancellor Francine Conway’s ScarletWell program, the collaborative effort aims to scale up assessment and treatment offerings

This effort to rapidly scale-up assessment and treatment services stems from a partnership initiated through ScarletWell – a public health- and prevention-focused approach to mental health and wellness led by Rutgers–New Brunswick Chancellor Francine Conway – and involving the Center for Youth Social Emotional Wellness, the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services and the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP).

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