Autism diagnoses are rising as Saint Mary’s students and graduates prepare for careers in law and speech-language pathology by pairing their degrees with autism studies expertise.
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Expanding Autism Studies at Saint Mary’s
- Graduates use specialized certifications to strengthen graduate school applications and stand out in competitive job markets.
- Personal connections to individuals on the autism spectrum drive academic focus and community-building initiatives.
Interdisciplinary Majors and Graduate Ambitions
“Autism Studies encourages you to interact with your assumptions in a manner that inspires growth,” Ava Zehnder '27, a senior completing an interdisciplinary major concentrating in Autism Studies with minors in French, environmental, and justice studies, told saintmarys.edu. Ava Zehnder ’27, a senior completing an interdisciplinary major concentrating in Autism Studies with minors in French, environmental, and justice studies, highlighted the growing necessity of this education.
“Autism diagnoses are increasing, so the chances of interacting with a person on the spectrum is quite high. Knowing people with autism, and having the background of autism studies, truly enables you to understand yourself, them, and society better,” Zehnder told saintmarys.edu.
Zehnder plans to attend law school in the fall and practice disability law upon completion of her law degree. Upon starting at Saint Mary’s, she mentioned to saintmarys.edu that she was certain she wanted to pursue an area of study she genuinely cared about.
Autism studies was the perfect way for me to connect my educational experiences to personal experiences, Zehnder said to saintmarys.edu. Pursuing autism studies equips me with an educated outlook and the understanding required to help remove the stigma around ASD, regardless of the professional or educational path I ultimately pursue.
“I have a loved one on the spectrum, and he has inspired my desire to ensure community-building for individuals with autism spectrum disorder,” Zehnder added.
Acceptance Mitigates Challenges for Professionals and Families
Candace Todd ’24 shared with saintmarys.edu that having a sibling on the spectrum alongside her daily professional work with individuals with autism means she encounters genuinely difficult aspects of the condition. Yet a great deal of those difficulties—if not all of them—could be lessened through a slightly more welcoming and inclusive world.
Todd earned dual master’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and the former Autism Studies program. Her current position is as a speech-language pathologist at Effingham County High School located in Effingham County, Georgia, where she has worked over the past two years.
Todd told saintmarys.edu that viewing their function as facilitators who assist individuals in communicating existing thoughts, feelings, and needs not only respects personal autonomy fundamentally, but also tends to produce more successful results in her professional practice.
| Graduate | Degree Focus | Current Role or Future Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Ava Zehnder ’27 | Interdisciplinary Major in Autism Studies | Law School (Planned Fall Admission) | Candace Todd ’24 | Dual Master’s in SLP and Autism Studies | Speech-Language Pathologist, Effingham County High School |
Degrees Provide Expertise to Support Families and Communities
Todd earned both degrees because my older sister Elizabeth is on the autism spectrum, she told saintmarys.edu. Throughout her childhood, she witnessed the profound positive impact that teachers and service providers had on both her sister’s life and her entire family’s well-being.
Todd shared with saintmarys.edu that she recognized this degree represented a chance to acquire the necessary skills and background to provide that exact same support to other families in her capacity as an SLP. The Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies offers autism-specific expertise beyond generalist professional training.
Zehnder noted to saintmarys.edu that Saint Mary’s has deeply rooted the principle of justice and the significance of seeking out community, particularly for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
