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Patrice Fagnant-Macarthur

Guide to Starting College as a Student with Autism


What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex condition that is diagnosed based on difficulties with communication, social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. ASD is considered a spectrum, or continuum, because people diagnosed with autism have different abilities and needs. Some individuals with autism can function independently or with limited support, while others require a higher level of assistance.

Autism is now diagnosed as level 1 (requires support), level 2 (requires substantial support) , or level 3 (requires very substantial support). This change eliminated the diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome. While many people still self-identify as having Asperger's, it is now considered level 1 autism. Individuals with level 1 autism may need some support, especially with social interactions. They are, however, often able to function independently, usually have strong verbal communication and talk about their favorite interests at length. Others may notice that they have difficulty with the give-and-take of everyday conversation. An individual with level 1 autism may also struggle with changes to routine and have rigid thinking patterns. Individuals with level 3 autism require the most support. They may have a limited ability to communicate, experience a great deal of distress if routines are changed in any way and may show more of the stereotypical signs of autism like stimming (repetitive movements or sounds).


Autism Characteristics

Each individual with autism is unique. While the diagnosis indicates they may struggle with social interactions, communication, sensory issues, accepting change, and restricted interests, the degree of difficulty that an individual has in each area will vary. For example, one person may be verbal but have poor eye contact and be highly sensitive to noise, while another may make eye contact and not be bothered by noise but have rigid thinking and become anxious when routines are changed. A third individual with autism may stim (make repetitive movements or sounds) frequently and need a higher level of sensory input but be more engaged socially and adaptable when it comes to changes in routines.


The transition to college is a major change for all students, and most individuals with autism find change to be anxiety-provoking and stressful. When preparing to transition to college, students with autism need to be aware of the impact of their strengths and weakness on academic classwork and social interactions in this new environment. It is important to prepare ahead of time to minimize stress and make the transition as smooth as possible.


Autism Diagnosis

Many individuals are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as a child. Parents or teachers notice that a child struggles with communication, eye contact, making friends, or obsessing over certain areas of interest. However, it is never too late to be diagnosed with autism, and adults can pursue testing and diagnosis.


Autism is usually diagnosed after a battery of tests performed by health-care professionals that may include psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and neurologists. Those seeking an autism diagnosis may wish to begin by speaking with a pediatrician or primary care doctor to determine their next steps.


According to the CDC in 2023, 1 in 36 children were diagnosed with an ASD. Boys are up to four times as likely to be diagnosed than girls, but this may be due to under-diagnosis rather than a true difference. Girls often learn to mask the symptoms of their autism so that they appear more neurotypical and may be diagnosed with ADHD instead. Indeed, individuals with ASD have a higher incidence of ADHD, anxiety, gastrointestinal difficulties, and schizophrenia than the general population. A student with autism should take all of their symptoms into consideration when transitioning to college.


Transitioning to College as a Student with Autism

This guide is designed to help students with autism and their families learn how to transition to college successfully. Some important things to consider are:

  • Finding the best college to attend to meet the individual student's needs

  • Cultivating independent living skills

  • Becoming aware of and accessing accommodations at the college

  • Getting and keeping support from family, friends, and medical professionals


Individuals with autism vary dramatically in their experiences, so what works for one person might not work for others. Discovering what works for the individual is the key to a successful academic and social experience in college.


Choosing the Right College

Having the right college environment is crucial when it comes to providing adequate support for students with ASD. Some things to consider when choosing what college to attend include:


Consideration

Reasoning

Majors

Does the college offer what the student wants to study?

Location

Often a college closer to home is better for students with ASD who may need more parental support than other students. This is especially important if the student plans to commute.

Educational support

Students with ASD often have academic accommodations to assist in areas that they struggle with. Colleges and universities are required to provide reasonable accommodations for those with documented disabilities, however the ease of accessing these accommodations may vary among institutions. It is important to have contact with a school's disability services office to determine what educational supports will be in place for the student.

Social support

If the student will be living on campus, are resident advisors trained in dealing with autistic behaviors? Are there social skills groups on campus that can help those with ASD? Are efforts made to include those with ASD in the social life of the college?

Career support

What support is offered to help individuals with ASD find internships or paid employment? Are there resources to help them prepare for interviews, develop job skills, and pursue a career?

 

Students with Autism: Independent Living Skills

Students with autism, like the general student population, have several choices when deciding where to live while attending college.

Online Classes, Living at Home, or Commuting

Attending college classes online or living at home and commuting to school can be a great option for individuals who don't like change. Parental and medical psychiatric support can stay the same even as the student's academic needs and challenges change. This is also the most affordable option. One drawback is that the student does not get to develop independent living skills like they would if living on their own or with a roommate.


Online degrees are now widely available. Many students earn their college degrees from the comfort of their own homes. This can help students who struggle with social interaction, sensory overload, and other challenges of in-person college life. It also eliminates the need for transportation and may be less expensive.


However, learning online has its drawbacks. Learning online is best for students who are self-motivated and able to focus well. Students need to be in charge of their own education and do their work regardless of the many distractions there are at home. Students also need a reasonable amount of technical knowledge in order to navigate and use the various programs in online classes.


Attending online college can make a student feel less connected to their fellow students and instructors.


Living on Campus

Living on campus provides the full college experience. This allows students to participate fully in the social life of the college and provides the opportunity to develop independent living skills in a controlled environment. For example, the student would be responsible for personal care, getting up and getting to class, doing laundry, and managing time for school and other activities, but food would be provided in the cafeteria and transportation would be less of an issue. This is often the most expensive option.


Attending college on campus is better for those who need some personal attention from their instructors and want to connect with the other students. When living on campus, students can take part in social activities, eat meals with other students, and make personal connections with professors and other administrative personnel. It also allows the student to learn and practice independent living skills.


Students can take advantage of prior learning assessments like the CLEP in order to earn some online college credit even if they do decide to receive their degree through an on-campus college.


Living Off Campus

Living in an apartment on their own or with a roommate is perhaps the most challenging choice. A student with autism must take care of all their own needs including personal care, paying bills, shopping for food, cooking, doing laundry, getting to and from school, and managing their time. While it may not be as expensive as living on campus, it does require a substantial amount of money.


The student with autism, along with their family, must consider the abilities of the student when making decisions about housing and how to help them achieve independent living goals.


Attending Part-Time or Full-Time

There are pros and cons to being either a full-time or part-time college student.


Part-Time College

Attending part-time allows students to focus on fewer classes. If a student struggles academically or is easily overwhelmed when facing a large number of assignments or deadlines, this can be a great choice. It gives the student more time for other obligations, such as medical and therapy appointments or a job. It also can be a temporary measure. A student might start part-time to get acclimated to the college workload and later switch to attending full-time once they feel they can handle the work and be successful. On the downside, being a part-time student means it will take longer to earn a college degree.


Full-Time College

Full-time attendance is more traditional and will allow a student to graduate in the usual amount of time. For those who feel confident that they can handle the workload, this is a great choice. It allows the student to complete their education in a shorter time and move on to the next step of their lives. For those who plan to live on campus, full-time study is often required. However, attending full-time means there is less time available for other work or activities. It can also cause a great deal of stress and requires the student to have strong time management skills to get all the academic work completed.


Accessing Accommodations

Choosing to go to college is a big decision and requires a substantial investment of time, effort, and money. While it is important for all students to do what they can to set themselves up for success, students with ASD may need additional support. When deciding what college to attend, it is important to investigate what services are available and learn how to access them.


The Americans with Disabilities Act requires colleges and universities to provide reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities, but different schools have different ways of helping students access those accommodations. It is important to contact a school's disability services office to determine what educational supports will be in place for the student. Students and their families should also take the time to educate themselves about the rights of students with disabilities.


Office for Students with Disabilities

Colleges have offices dedicated to supporting students with disabilities. Students will want to look for an office with disability, access, or accommodations in its name as these offices may go by different names. Students must register with this office and provide documentation of a disability. The student will then meet with a member of the office to discuss their needs and accommodations.


The student should self-advocate and express what accommodations would be helpful for their academic success. The office will then notify the student's instructors of the accommodations or provide a letter for the students to give to their instructors.

Some common accommodations include having a note-taker to record what happens in class, using audio recordings or audio books, being able to type all coursework and exams, having access to assistive technology, allowing extra time for exams or taking and exam in a quiet room. Colleges want their students to succeed, and these offices are designed to provide the support that each student needs.


Note-Takers and Exams

For students who struggle with executive dysfunction, or having trouble organizing their time and thoughts, note-takers can be a huge help. Note-takers are students who take clear, concise notes during a class which they then share with students who need them. This allows the student to focus more on what is happening in class and spend less time trying to get it all down on paper. Students with autism are also able to focus better in class when they have access to an audio or video recording of the class.


Common exam accommodations include having extra time for exams, being able to take the exam in a quiet room with fewer people and minimal distractions, and being able to type rather than write the answers to an exam by hand. There may also be special study groups to help students prepare for exams.


Students should reach out to the Office for Students with Disabilities at their school for help accessing these services.


Residence Accommodations

Students with autism living on their own for the first time can quickly find themselves overwhelmed by the pressures of needing to take care of themselves, managing their time, and coping with the sensory overload of living on a college campus.


If possible, students should try to find a quiet dorm or see if they can have a room to themselves rather than sharing with a roommate.


They may need to request that an area be scent-free, with no perfumes or air fresheners, if they have sensory sensitivities. Setting up a visual schedule can help students with autism organize their day and remind them to take care of personal needs, get to class on time and complete homework.


Some students might need a personal care aide to check on their well-being and assist with daily tasks. Students with autism also need a safe place to go and someone to talk to if they are dysregulated and experiencing a high degree of sensory overload and anxiety. The Office for Students with Disabilities and the Residence Life Office are good places to ask for help accessing accommodations.


Independent Living Goals for Students with Autism

Students with autism can tap into a support network to help them reach their independent living goals. Some areas that they might need assistance with are keeping in touch with their family if they are living away from home, making new friends at college, getting academic support for classes, finding help with scheduling and time management, and arranging the support of medical and psychiatric professionals, if needed.


Family and Friends

Families are often the main source of support for young people with autism as they grow up. It can be a challenge to maintain that support while allowing the young person to take on more responsibility and develop independent living skills. Students living on their own for the first time may wish to check in with their family frequently, especially since that family understands their challenges, loves them, and can be a sounding board and help them form a plan when college life becomes overwhelming.


Families are often the ones paying the bill for college and may also contribute to living expenses, so they can be a lifeline for when the student needs financial help.


Making new friends can be a challenge for anyone, but students with autism who often struggle in social situations may find this extra challenging. A good place to start making friends is at college activities focused on a shared interest. Students with autism often have deep interests and encyclopedic knowledge in one or two areas. Connecting with others who share those interests is a great way to begin making friends.


There may also be a support or social group for students with ASD on campus which may provide a way to connect with similar-minded people. Friends are invaluable for sharing what is going on in life and may help with scheduling and time management. For example, they might be able to help a student get up in the morning or get to class on time.


College Support

It is important for students with autism to take advantage of all the support colleges have to offer. In addition to connecting with the Office for Students with Disabilities, students should make an effort to connect with their professors, instructors, and teaching assistants. Attending office hours is a great way to show interest in the class as well as to get extra help with coursework. Students can also bring up any challenges they are having due to their ASD in order to get help.


Many colleges have academic resource centers that provide tutoring for students who need it. Online tutoring can also be a great option. In addition, there may also be study groups in individual classes to help students prepare for exams. It is also important for students to check in with their advisors to plan out a course of study and to discuss any concerns that they may be having. Another support is the career office which can be useful in planning out life after college.


All of these supports can make college feel less overwhelming and help the student with autism succeed.


Medical Professionals

There is no specific medicine or treatment plan for autism, but some students with autism may have behavioral therapists, psychiatrists or psychologists who help them manage their anxiety, sensory sensitivity, and communication challenges so that they can be more successful in achieving their goals. It is important for a student in college to keep that support. The student should make a plan so that they will continue to receive care at college, whether it's by telehealth or in person.


A student with ASD in college who has not had these services may find that they need them due to the increased stress of college life. All college students, including students with autism, need to take steps to care for their mental health. Most colleges have health centers where students can reach out for medical and/or psychological help if they need it. Students should learn where that center is on campus and how to access help if needed.

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