Billie – Data driven Persona
Go Back to Meet Your Students or Go to the Next Data-Driven Student Persona
Age: 26 years old
Work: Works at BJs in Bangor
Major: Forestry
Family: In a relationship, youngest of four siblings
Challenge: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Diabetes
Location: Veazie, ME
Where is home? Veazie, ME
Pronouns: they/them
Assistive Technology: Smart personal assistant, noise filtering ear plugs, phone app to track blood glucose
A bit about them:
Billie was born and raised in the greater Bangor area in Maine. This year is the first time they live alone, outside of the family home and they are still adjusting to their new living conditions and schedule. Living independently is a big step for Billie.
What are their frustrations so far?
“Sometimes people who learn that I am on the spectrum don’t ask about me as a person and assume that I don’t want to connect with others.”
“People often make assumptions about what I am feeling based on their misinterpretation of my non-verbal cues. It is tiring work to try to ‘fit in,’ I just want to be myself.”
“I use my cellphone to help me manage my diabetes, but in some of my classes cellphones are not allowed. This makes me nervous because I am afraid to miss an alert or reminder.”
“One of my professors uses euphemisms in class all the time and I don’t get it. Why not say things clearly? Then everybody can understand!”
“One of my classes this semester has more than a hundred students in it, and everybody makes so much noise all the time. I can never focus and it stresses me out.”
Five teaching strategies focused on digital equity that will help Billie succeed:
- Ability to record lectures or review videos/materials after class
- Very clear directions
- Low-distraction testing environment (lighting, soundproofing, etc.)
- More small group/or individual instruction depending on preference
- Allow students to make reasonable use of technology in the classroom (note taking, assistive technology, emergencies)
Many more students can benefit from these teaching strategies. Learn more about who benefits from these strategies.
What has helped Billie feel included in the UMaine community?
“I joined a few student clubs about the outdoors and the environment.”
Learn more…
- Autism self-advocacy network (opens in a new window) is a great resource. The network published: “Navigating College A Handbook on Self Advocacy Written for Autistic Students from Autistic Adults” which you can find under the “Resources” tab on their website.
- Autism Awareness Training – Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research (opens in a new window)
- Neurodiversity: A First-Hand Account (opens a YouTube Video)
- Explore resources and training sessions offered by CITL by visiting the Events and Programs section of the CITL website
Go Back to Meet Your Students or Go to the Next Data-Driven Student Persona