Amelia Anderson, doctoral candidate in the School of Information, studies college students with autism and their experiences in libraries. Anderson works with Dr. Nancy Everhart on the Project PALS grant, a program that works to improve information services for rural library patrons who have autism spectrum disorder.

In May, Anderson attended the Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (FLASHA) Conference in Fort Lauderdale. The annual event brings together more than 400 speech-language pathologists, audiologists, consumers, and speakers from around the country. Many of the attendees work with individuals with autism, making Anderson’s research relevant to this conference.

Anderson presented the poster, Students with High Functioning Autism and Communication through Online Forums, which examines the transition from high school to higher education for students with high functioning autism. Specifically, how do students with autism use online discussion forums to make sense of the transition into college? The poster was a success, taking First Place Poster at FLASHA.

The research is a group effort across Florida State. The team was comprised of:

• Amelia Anderson, Doctoral candidate in the School of Information
• Dr. Brad Cox, Associate Professor in the College of Education
• Jeffrey Edelstein, Undergraduate Student in Music, MIS
• Taylor Locks, Graduate Student in the College of Education
• Amanda Mintz, Graduate Student in the College of Education
• Abigail Wolz, Undergraduate Student

“I started this work as a research collaboration and have continued it a year later because I’m passionate about the work,” she said.

Anderson is in the beginning phases of her dissertation with hopes of graduating in 2016-17. After graduation, she hopes to continue her work as a professor in library studies.