Abstract
Increasing numbers of students with autism are entering institutions of higher education. These students face daunting social, emotional and communication challenges. While these institutions typically offer disability services, mental health counseling, career counseling, and health services to students with special needs, students with AS and HFA present unique needs that differ in many respects from the needs of students requesting accommodations for learning disabilities, especially in the area of nonacademic supports such as social and emotional supports. Many colleges are not equipped to handle these challenges and there is a poor data base of well-informed interventions for college-going adults with autism. This chapter presents and analyzes available and emerging support systems for students with ASD. The literature cites a number of sources of support for students with ASD to help them navigate campus life. One source of support comes from families, especially parents. Another involves support offered by offices for students with disabilities. Two sources of institutional support have received much attention in the recent literature: transition programs and mentoring programs. These support systems can help postsecondary students with ASD successfully pursue an academic degree in an environment that supports their social acclimatization, independence, and well-being.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Accardo, A. L., Kuder, S. J., & Woodruff, J. (2018). Accommodations and support services preferred by college students with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318760490.
Adreon, D., & Durocher, J. S. (2007). Evaluating the college transition needs of individuals with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. Intervention in School and Clinic, 42(5), 271–279. https://doi.org/10.1177/10534512070420050201.
Ames, M. E., McMorris, C. A., Alli, L. N., & Bebko, J. M. (2016). Overview and evaluation of a mentorship program for university students with ASD. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 31(1), 27–36. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357615583465.
Amirault, R. J. (2012). Distance learning in the 21st century university: Key issues for leaders and faculty. Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 13(4), 253–266.
Anderson, K. A., Sosnowy, C., Kuo, A. A., & Shattuck, P. T. (2018). Transition of individuals with autism to adulthood: A review of qualitative studies. Pediatrics, 141(Suppl 4), S318–S327. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-4300I.
Barnhill, G. P. (2016). Supporting students with Asperger syndrome on college campuses: Current practices. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 31(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357614523121.
Bennett, A. E., Miller, J. S., Stollon, N., Prasad, R., & Blum, N. J. (2018). Autism Spectrum Disorder and transition-aged youth. Current Psychiatry Reports, 20(11), 103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0967-y.
Bolourian, Y., Zeedyk, S. M., & Blacher, J. (2018). Autism and the university experience: Narratives from students with neurodevelopmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(10), 3330–3343. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-35995.
Cai, R. Y., & Richdale, A. L. (2016). Educational experiences and needs of higher education students with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(1), 31–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2535-1.
Camarena, P. M., & Sarigiani, P. A. (2009). Postsecondary educational aspirations of high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and their parents. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 24(2), 115–128. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357609332675.
Carter, E. W., Harvey, M. N., Taylor, J. L., & Gotham, K. (2013). Connecting youth and young adults with autism spectrum disorders to community life. Psychology in the Schools, 50(9), 888–898. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.21716.
Chiang, H., Cheung, Y. K., Hickson, L., Xiang, R., & Tsai, L. Y. (2012). Predictive factors of participation in postsecondary education for high school leavers with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(5), 685–696. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1297-7.
Ciccantelli, L. A. (2011). College navigation for students with autism spectrum disorder: The need for advanced preparation. Global Education Journal, 2, 53–63.
Cox, B. E., Mintz, A., Locks, T., Thompson, K., Anderson, A., Morgan, L., … Wolz, A. (2015). Academic experiences for college students with autism: Identity, disclosure, and accommodations. Journal of College Student Development. https://doi.org/10.13140/rg.2.1.3593.1600.
Cox, B. E., Thompson, K., Anderson, A., Mintz, A., Locks, T., … Wolz, A. (2017). College experiences for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Personal identity, public disclosure, and institutional support. Journal of College Student Development, 58(1), 71–87. https://doi.org/10.1035/csd.2017.0004.
Crisp, G., & Cruz, I. (2009). Mentoring college students: A critical review of the literature between 1990 and 2007. Research in Higher Education, 50(6), 525–545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-009-9130-2.
Dallas, B. K., Ramisch, J. L., & McGowan, B. (2015). Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the role of family in postsecondary settings: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 28(2), 135–147.
Dipeolu, A. O., Storlie, C., & Johnson, C. (2014). Transition to college and students with high functioning autism spectrum disorder: Strategy considerations for school counselors. Journal of School Counseling, 12(11).
Elias, R., & White, S. W. (2018). Autism goes to college: Understanding the needs of a student population on the rise. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(3), 732–746. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3075-7.
Fletcher-Watson, S., Adams, J., Brook, K., Charman, T., Crane, L., Cusack, J., … Pellicano, E. (2018). Making the future together: Shaping autism research through meaningful participation. Autism. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318786721.
Frank, L. (2015). Best practices for transitioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorder into adulthood. Education Masters, Paper 304. St. John Fisher College. https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/education.
Freedman, S. (2010). Developing college skills in students with autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Gelbar, N. W., Shefcyk, A., & Reichow, B. (2015). A comprehensive survey of current and former college students with autism spectrum disorders. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 88, 45–68.
Gelbar, N. W., Smith, I., & Reichow, B. (2014). Systematic review of articles describing experience and supports of individuals with autism enrolled in college and university programs. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(10), 2593–2601. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2135-5.
Gillespie-Lynch, K., Kapp, S. K., Brooks, P. J., Pickens, J., & Schwartzman, B. (2017). Whose expertise is it? Evidence for autistic adults as critical autism experts. Frontiers in Psychology, 28(8), 438. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00438.
Gobbo, K., & Shmulsky, S. (2012). Classroom needs of community college students with Asperger’s disorder and autism spectrum disorders. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 36(1), 40–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/10668920903381813.
Gobbo, K., & Shmulsky, S. (2014). Faculty experience with college students with autism spectrum disorders: A qualitative study of challenges and solutions. Focus on Autism and other Developmental Disorders, 29, 13–22.
Gunn, F., Lee, S. H., & Steed, M. (2017). Student perceptions of benefits and challenges of peer mentoring programs: Divergent perspectives from mentors and mentees. Marketing Education Review, 27(1), 15–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/10528008.2016.1255560.
Gurbuz, E., Hanley, M., & Riby, D. M. (2019). University students with autism: The social and academic experiences of university in the UK. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(2), 617–631. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3741-4.
Guzmán-Valenzuela, C. (2018). Universities, knowledge and pedagogical configurations: Glimpsing the complex university. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 50(1), 5–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2017.1313717.
Hamilton, J., Stevens, G., & Girdler, S. (2016). Becoming a mentor: the impact of training and the experience of mentoring university students on the autism spectrum. PLoS ONE, 11(4), e0153204. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0153204.
Hart, D., Grigal, M., & Weir, C. (2010). Expanding the paradigm: Postsecondary education options for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 25(3), 134–150. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357610373759.
Hendricks, D. R., & Wehman, P. (2009). Transition from school to adulthood for youth with autism spectrum disorders: Review and recommendations. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 24(2), 77–88. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357608329827.
Hillier, A., Goldstein, J., Murphy, D., Trietsch, R., Keeves, J., Mendes, E., & Queenan, A. (2018). Supporting university students with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 22(1), 20–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317699584.
Hotez, E., Shane-Simpson, C., Obeid, R., DeNigris, D., Siller, M., Costikas, C., … Gillespie-Lynch, K. (2018). Designing a summer transition program for incoming and current college students on the autism spectrum: A participatory approach. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 46. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00046.
Jackson, S. J., Hart, L., & Volkmar, F. R. (2018). Preface: Special issue—College experiences for students with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(3), 639–642. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3463-7.
Kapp, S. K., Gantman, A., & Laugeson, E. A. (2011). Transition to adulthood for high functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorders. In M. R. Mohammadi (Ed.), A comprehensive book on autism spectrum disorders (pp. 451–478). London, UK: InTech.
Korbel, D. M., Lucia, J. H., Wenzel, C. M., & Anderson, B. G. (2011). Collaboration strategies to facilitate successful transition of students with disabilities in a changing higher education environment. In W. S. Harbour & J. W. Madaus (Eds.), Disability and campus dynamics: New directions for higher education (Vol. 154, pp. 17–25). Wiley.
Kucharczyk, S., Reutebuch, C. K., Carter, E. W., Hedges, S., El Zein, F., Fan, H., & Gustafson, J. R. (2015). Addressing the needs of adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Considerations and complexities for high school interventions. Exceptional Children, 81(3), 329–349. https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402914563703.
Kuder, S. J., & Accardo, A. (2017). What works for college students with autism spectrum disorder. College of Education Faculty Scholarship, 8(3), 722–731. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3434-4.
Lambe, S., Russell, A., Butler, C., Fletcher, S., Ashwin, C., & Brosnan, M. (2018). Autism and the transition to university from the student perspective. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318803935.
Lei, J., Calley, S., Brosnan, M., Aswin, C., & Russell, A. (2018). Evaluation of a transition to university programme for students with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3776-6.
Lucas, R., & James, A. I. (2018). An evaluation of specialist mentoring for university students with autism spectrum disorders and mental health conditions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(3), 694–707. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3303-1.
MacLeod, A., & Green, S. (2009). Beyond the books: Case study of a collaborative and holistic support model for university students with Asperger syndrome. Studies in Higher Education, 34(6), 631–646. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075070802590643.
McDougall, J. (2019). ‘I never felt like I was alone’: A holistic approach to supporting students in an online, pre-university programme. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680513.2019.1583098.
McKeon, B., Alpern, C. S., & Zager, D. (2013). Promoting academic engagement for college students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Postsecondary Education & Disability, 26(4), 353–366.
Milton, D., Sims, T., Dawkins, G., Martin, N., & Mills, R. (2017). The development and evaluation of a mentor training programme for those working with autistic adults. Good Autism Practice, 18(1), 25–33.
Mitchell, W. A., & Beresford, B. A. (2014). Young people with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s syndrome planning for and anticipating the move to college: What supports a positive transition? British Journal of Special Education, 41(2), 151–171. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12064.
Peterson, J. (2016). Parent awareness of transition services for student with ASD. Masters of Arts Thesis in Special Education, University of Wisconsin Superior.
Pinder-Amaker, S. (2014). Identifying the unmet needs of college students on the autism spectrum. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 22(2), 125–137. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000032.
Richardson, J. T. (2017). Academic attainment in students with autism spectrum disorders in distance education. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 32(1), 81–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680513.2016.1272446.
Roberts, N., & Birmingham, E. (2017). Mentoring university students with ASD: A mentee-centered approach. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(4), 1038–1050. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2997-9.
Sarrett, J. C. (2018). Autism and accommodations in higher education: Insights from the autism community. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(3), 679–693. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3353-4.
Schindler, V., Cajiga, A., Aaronson, R., & Salas, L. (2015). The experience of transition to college for students diagnosed with Asperger’s disorder. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 3(1), Article 2, 1–17.
Shattuck, P. T., Narendorf, S. C., Cooper, B., Sterzing, P. R., Wagner, M., & Taylor, J. L. (2012). Postsecondary education and employment among youth with an autism spectrum disorder. Pediatrics, 129, 1042–1049. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-2864.
Shmulsky, S., & Gobbo, K. (2013). Autism spectrum in the college classroom: Strategies for instructors. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 37(6), 490–495. https://doi.org/10.1080/10668926.2012.716753.
Shmulsky, S., Gobbo, K., & Donahue, A. (2015). Groundwork for success: A college transition program for students with ASD. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 28(2), 235–241.
Siew, C. T., Mazzucchelli, T. G., Rooney, R., & Girdler, S. (2017). A specialist peer mentoring program for university students on the autism spectrum: A pilot study. PLoS ONE, 12(7), e0180854. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180854.
Simmeborn-Fleischer, A. (2012). Support to students with Asperger syndrome in higher education: The perspectives of three relatives and three coordinators. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 35, 54–61. https://doi.org/10.1097/MRR.Obo13e32834f4d3b.
Taylor, J. L., Henninger, N. A., & Mailick, M. R. (2015). Longitudinal patterns of employment and postsecondary education for adults with autism and average-range IQ. Autism, 19(7), 785–793. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361315585643.
Taylor, J. L., & Seltzer, M. M. (2011). Employment and post-secondary educational activities for young adults with autism spectrum disorders during the transition to adulthood. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(5), 566–574. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-1070-3.
Thierfeld-Brown, J., Wolf, L. E., King, L., & Bork, G. R. K. (2013). The parent’s guide to college for students on the autism spectrum. Shawnee Mission, KS: AAPC Publishing.
Tipton, L. A., & Blacher, J. (2014). Brief report: Autism awareness: Views from a campus community. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(2), 477–483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1893-9.
Van Hees, V., Moyson, T., & Roeyers, H. (2015). Higher education experiences of students with autism spectrum disorder: Challenges, benefits and support needs. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(6), 1673–1688. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2324-2.
VanBergeijk, E., Klin, A., & Volkmar, F. (2008). Supporting more able students on the autism spectrum: College and beyond. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(7), 1359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0524-8.
Volkmar, F. R., Reichow, B., & McPartland, J. C. (2014). Introduction to adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders. In F. R. Volkmar, B. Reichow, & J. C. McPartland (Eds.), Adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders. New York, NY: Springer.
Wei, X., Jennifer, W. Y., Shattuck, P., McCracken, M., & Blackorby, J. (2013). Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) participation among college students with an autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(7), 1539–1546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1700-z.
Weiss, A., & Rohland, P. (2015). Implementing a communication coaching program for students with autism spectrum disorders in postsecondary education. Topics in Language Disorders, 35(4), 345–361. https://doi.org/10.1097/TLD.0000000000000071.
Wenzel, C., & Rowley, L. (2010). Teaching social skills and academic strategies to college students with Asperger’s syndrome. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(5), 44–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/004005991004200505.
White, S. W., Elias, R., Capriola-Hall, N. N., Smith, I. C., Conner, C. M., Asselin, S. B., … Mazefsky, C. A. (2017). Development of a college transition and support program for students with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 47(10), 3072–3078. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3236-8.
White, S. W., Elias, R., Salinas, C., & Getzel, E. (2016). Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in college: Results from a preliminary mixed methods needs analysis. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 56, 29–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2016.05.010.
White, S. W., Ollendick, T. H., & Bray, B. C. (2011). College students on the autism spectrum. Autism, 15(6), 683–701. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361310393363.
Wolf, L. E., Thierfeld Brown, J., & Bork, G. R. K. (2009). Students with Asperger syndrome: A guide for college personnel. Shawnee Mission, KS: AAPC Publishing.
Zager, D. (2013). Positive psychology and autism spectrum disorders. In M. L. Wehmeyer (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of positive psychology and disability (pp. 494–505). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195398786.013.013.0030.
Zeedyk, S. M., Tipton, L. A., & Blacher, J. (2014). Educational supports for high functioning youth with ASD: The postsecondary pathway to college. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 31(1), 37–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357614525435.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Lowinger, S. (2019). Postsecondary Education for Students with ASD: Essential Support Systems. In: Lowinger, S., Pearlman-Avnion, S. (eds) Autism in Adulthood. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28833-4_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28833-4_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-28832-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-28833-4
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)