STEP Program Components
What support looks like day-to-day at EIU
The STEP Program at Eastern Illinois University provides structured, personalized support to help students with autism succeed in college and build independence.
STEP students are fully admitted, degree-seeking EIU students who participate in campus life while receiving additional support designed specifically for their needs.
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What is STEP?
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STEP is an autism support program developed at EIU and led by experienced professionals in:
- Executive functioning
- Social communication
- Self-regulation and independence
- Brain development and learning strategies
Students in STEP:
- Attend regular college classes
- Pursue their chosen major
- Build skills for academic, social, and personal success
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Our mission
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STEP helps students:
- Build confidence and independence
- Develop self-advocacy skills
- Understand their strengths and challenges
- Learn strategies to manage college-level expectations
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Core areas of support
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STEP focuses on four key skill areas that are essential for college success:
- Executive functioning
Organization, time management, planning, and task completion - Self-awareness and self-advocacy
Understanding personal needs and communicating effectively - Communication and social flexibility
Navigating conversations, relationships, and campus situations - Social connection
Building friendships and engaging in campus life
- Executive functioning
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What services are included?
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STEP combines multiple types of support to help students succeed:
Academic and daily support
- Weekly **one-on-one academic coaching**
- Structured **study tables**
- Help with planning, prioritizing, and tracking assignments
- Support with email, deadlines, and organization
- Small group sessions focused on:
- Executive functioning
- Communication skills
- Problem solving
- Life and self-management
- Students work on real assignments and real challenges in these sessions
- Peer mentors to help students connect on campus
- Weekly and monthly social events
- Recreation and leisure support based on student interests
- Early move-in and extended orientation
- Campus navigation support
- Visual schedules and routine-building tools
- Two-day, on-campus summer experience for new students and families
- Follow-up virtual coaching sessions
- Focus on routines, organization, and preparing for the first semester
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Real-world skill development
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STEP helps students build practical skills they will use in college and beyond:
- Plan and manage
Time management, organization, and task initiation - Communicate effectively
Self-advocacy, perspective-taking, and adapting communication styles - Develop independence
Goal setting, reflection, and decision-making - Prepare for careers
Resume building, interview preparation, and workplace expectations
- Plan and manage
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Support beyond the classroom
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STEP works across campus to support student success:
- Communication with faculty when needed
- Collaboration with housing and campus offices
- Participation in the EIU Student Support Team
- Progress reports twice per semester
- Optional communication by phone or email
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Additional support services
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When appropriate, students may be referred to EIU’s Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic for additional support with:
- Communication skills
- Language processing
- Social understanding
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Important to know
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STEP is not:
- A special education program
- A replacement for academic coursework
- A program that modifies university curriculum
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Who is a good fit for STEP?
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STEP is designed for students who:
- Have a diagnosis of autism
- Are academically prepared for college-level coursework
- Want support while building independence
- Can manage parts of their day independently
- Do not require constant one-on-one supervision
- Want help with organization, planning, and follow-through
- Are open to learning about social and communication strategies
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Program structure and commitment
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- Limited enrollment each year
- Application and interview required
- Commitment of 10–12 hours per week
- Some students continue in full support
- Others transition to a less intensive Maintenance level
- Some students graduate from STEP as they become more independent
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Learn more and get started
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To explore STEP further:
- Visit the Apply and Visit page
- Contact us to discuss your student’s needs
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Interview with Noah Wright, B.S., Graduate Student, Former STEP Student |
Interview with Jill Fahy, Director of STEP and Professor, Department of Communication Disorders & Sciences |
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Interviewed by Matt Gunter, Chief Communications Officer of Routine Success, and founder and creator of Inclusive Academia, a podcast designed for neurodiverse high school students and their families navigating post-graduation options. |
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Helpful Tips & Tools to Get Your Student College-Ready
- 40 Study Tips for Neurodiverse Students
- How to Support Neurodiversity in College
- College Autism Network
- NeurodiversityHUB Resources for Tertiary Students & Young Adults, Parents, and Carers
- Graduation Daze: 6 Ways to Smooth the Transition from High School to College
- Teens with ADHD Need Scaffolds and Structure: How Not to Helicopter Parent
Funding provided in part by The Autism Program of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Human Services.
