Longhorn TIES provides one-on-one student support with trained coaches through TIESplus and drop-in services. All services are provided by trained, specialized coaches who provide individualized support and informed campus and community referrals related to academic, social, vocational, and independent living needs. Prospective students or families interested in learning more about each service may complete the Longhorn TIES informational request form. The application for TIESplus and drop-in services can be found below.
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Drop-In Services
TIESplus Services
Drop-In Services
Undergraduate and graduate students who identify as neurodivergent are eligible for up to three free 50-minute drop-in meetings with a trained Longhorn TIES coach per semester. Students may schedule drop-in meetings at any point in the semester after completing the Longhorn TIES student support interest form and following instructions to schedule a meeting with a Longhorn TIES coach. Students who access drop-in services during a semester will automatically be notified regarding TIESplus service availability in the following semester.
TIESplus
Undergraduate students who identify as neurodivergent are eligible to apply for the TIESplus services. Acceptance into TIESplus is contingent on staff availability. TIESplus, pay-for-services programming includes but is not limited to pre-planning transition meetings, 1:1 coaching support, cross campus collaborations, monthly meetings and socials. Sponsorship opportunities and financial assistance are available for all students interested in applying for TIESplus.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Longhorn TIESplus, students must:
- Be admitted or currently enrolled to an academic program at The University of Texas at Austin
- Identify as neurodivergent. Common neurodivergent diagnoses include (but are not limited to): Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome
- Start the TIESplus application process by completing the online TIESplus application and an initial consult meeting with Longhorn TIES staff
- No other documentation (e.g. educational records, diagnostic information, letters of recommendation) will be requested or reviewed as part of the application process
Applications
Applications for TIESplus are reviewed on a rolling basis and acceptance will be based on staff availability. Current and incoming students must apply for TIESplus services prior to the start of the semester and are encouraged to apply at least six weeks prior to the first day of classes.
Students interested in sponsorship are encouraged to contact their local Texas Workforce Commission-Vocational Rehabilitation (TWC-VR) office to speak with a counselor about possible financial assistance prior to applying for TIESplus services. To find your local TWC-VR Office, please click here. In addition, UT Austin Financial Aid office may provide assistance in securing financial aid for TIESplus. To learn more about financial aid assistance or other sponsorship opportunities reach out to Longhorn TIES Program Administrator.
Longhorn TIES reserves the right to accept or deny applicants based on the holistic review of their completed application, initial consult meeting, and staff availability.
Support Levels
TIESplus offers various levels of support based on a student’s experiences, progress and needs. First year students often benefit from transitional support services as they acclimate to the UT Austin environment. This may include campus and community resource navigation and referral, executive functioning skill development, including time management and organization, goal-setting and monitoring, professional development training, and more.
Upper class students often benefit from the ongoing development of skills and confidence inside and outside of the classroom which includes assistance navigating the intern and job search process and graduation.
Pre-Planning Transition Meetings
Incoming UT Austin students will have an opportunity to participate in pre-planning transition meetings prior to coming to campus. TIESplus will provide information about acclimating to campus and utilizing campus resources and will be eligible for coaching meeting to assist with the transition to campus.
Level 1 Services: Full College Transition Support
Services include but are not limited to:
- Weekly meetings with trained coaches throughout the academic semester enrolled; students can request additional meetings if needed.
- Coaching in areas such as self-advocacy, self-management, organization, time-management and life and social skills.
- Meetings commonly address academic, social, vocational, and independent living needs, and are always tailored to the needs of the individual student.
- Assistance in self-monitoring academic progress and goal settings
- Required academic, social, and professional development events per term.
Level 2 Services: General Student Support
Services include but are not limited to:
- Bi-weekly meetings with trained coaches throughout the academic semester enrolled; students can request additional meetings if needed.
- Coaching in areas such as self-advocacy, self-management, organization, time-management and life and social skills.
- Meetings commonly address academic, social, vocational, and independent living needs, and are always tailored to the needs of the individual student.
- Assistance in self-monitoring academic progress and goal settings
- Required academic, social, and professional development events per term.
Student Resources
- Students on the Spectrum
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network
- Longhorn TIES
- Disability and Access
- Apps + Resources for Student Success
- Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network
- Job Accommodation Network
- Disability Cultural Center
- Counseling and Mental Health Center
- Sanger Learning Center
- Longhorn SHARE Project
- Gender and Sexuality Center Groups