The campus will remain closed until 12 noon Thursday, 02/13/25. Students should log into Canvas for specific class information from their instructors. Please contact event organizers for information on specific activities. Normal operations will resume at 12pm on Thursday.

Anthony Shevenock, BSCmE’23: Succeeding with Autism

BSCmE ’23

Anthony Shevenock wasn’t the first in his family with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). But he was the first to be diagnosed. And that diagnosis opened up a world of possibilities, giving Anthony and his family access to resources not readily available to previous generations.

Anthony, second from left, is flanked by his father and two sisters.

Like the peer group in grade school that volunteered to help him and other ASD students understand social cues, often through the practice of daily greetings. “We had great schools and excellent teachers,” said his mom, Kathy, who immersed herself in conferences that helped families find ways to support their ASD children.

When it came time to choose a college, Anthony was favorably disposed to Lawrence Tech, thanks to a family that had gravitated toward LTU’s technologically-focused education. Anthony’s two sisters and brother-in-law had graduated from the University, and in 2008, his uncle, Ken Grezlik, also an LTU grad, created an endowed scholarship for LTU students majoring in mechanical engineering.

But the transition from a high school routine to a more varied schedule in college can be formidable, especially for ASD students, who often experience higher levels of stress and anxiety when routines change. And Anthony was no exception.

“It was a bit hard in the beginning,” said Anthony, who needed another semester to bring his performance back up after a difficult start adjusting to different class times throughout the week.

Luckily, LTU’s faculty and staff made a difference.

“The professors read Anthony’s IEPs (individualized educational plans) from high school so they were able to intervene if there was a problem,” said Kathy. They also seemed skilled in handling the communication styles of ASD students, who have difficulty deciphering figurative language such as sarcasm or irony.

“If teachers are too flamboyant with their speech or use a lot of idioms, it can get confusing for ASD kids because they have to take a moment to mentally decipher what the teacher is saying,” said Kathy.

According to Anthony and his family, Professor Lisa Anneberg’s straightforward approach suited Anthony’s needs. “The way she spoke and how she explained things was very concise and he had an easier time understanding her,” Kathy said.

Anthony agreed. “She was really good at explaining things and helped me understand what needed to be done in class and with homework.”

ASD students can also struggle socially; it’s not unusual to miss a verbal cue or the meaning behind a facial expression, even though many ASD students wish to be sociable. And group settings can be particularly distressing.

That may have been the case in one of Anthony’s math classes although his professor, Mike Rosen, witnessed a change in Anthony’s demeanor over time. “In the beginning, he always kept to himself and never really wanted to say anything. But just before break, he was finally talking to other students and telling stories.”

Rosen’s style of teaching may have been just the thing to ease Anthony’s anxiety. “I’m always very encouraging and jovial with the students, so maybe he finally felt comfortable opening up.”

Anthony’s unusual math skills also became evident in Rosen’s class. As Kathy tells the story, Rosen called Anthony a “true genius” who solved a doctorate level math problem in six minutes “like it was nothing.”

“Students don’t usually get the answer so quickly,” said Rosen. “He’s quick with numbers.”

Anthony graduated magna cum laude with a degree in computer engineering. His sister Stephanie gave him his diploma during the commencement ceremony, conveying their deep ties to LTU’s theory and practice education; Stephanie has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Lawrence Tech.

“That was really special,” said Kathy.

So, too, is Anthony’s future.

Author: Pam Houghton

» Read More Giving Stories

How Can You Help?

We have found the more connected the donor is to LTU programs the bigger their support. We have many ways you can help..

Endowment Scholarships

One of the best ways you can help students realize their dream of earning a degree is through an endowed scholarship.

» Document Viewer

Use Your Cell Phone as a Document Camera in Zoom

  • What you will need to have and do
  • Download the mobile Zoom app (either App Store or Google Play)
  • Have your phone plugged in
  • Set up video stand phone holder

From Computer

Log in and start your Zoom session with participants

From Phone

  • Start the Zoom session on your phone app (suggest setting your phone to “Do not disturb” since your phone screen will be seen in Zoom)
  • Type in the Meeting ID and Join
  • Do not use phone audio option to avoid feedback
  • Select “share content” and “screen” to share your cell phone’s screen in your Zoom session
  • Select “start broadcast” from Zoom app. The home screen of your cell phone is now being shared with your participants.

To use your cell phone as a makeshift document camera

  • Open (swipe to switch apps) and select the camera app on your phone
  • Start in photo mode and aim the camera at whatever materials you would like to share
  • This is where you will have to position what you want to share to get the best view – but you will see ‘how you are doing’ in the main Zoom session.