University Students with Autism: The Social and Academic Experiences of University in the UK

“Vol.:(0123456789) Keywords Autism · University · Education Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are complex neurodevelopmental disorders with lifelong impacts on social communication, alongside the presence of repetitive and restrictive behaviours (American Psychiatric Association 2013).”

“In order to extract components, the Kaiser (2016) criteria and scree tests were used, with Varimax rotations applied.”

“Principal Component Analysis (Jolliffe 2002) was applied to the 57 Likert-scale items to investigate the factor structure of the data.”

“A two-factor structure was chosen because each component explained the highest variance (24%, 10% respectively) and the third and fourth factors were not strong enough to be included as there were not enough items (Costello and Osborne 2005).”

“…(Cronbach’s alpha = 0.75;Richard and Schneider 2005), UCLA Loneliness Scale with an internal consistency ranging from α = 0.89 to 0.94 (version 3; Russell 1996), and Rasch-type Loneliness Scale (De JongGierveld 1985) with a reliability range of α = 0.81–0.95 (De Jong Gierveld and Van Tilburg…”

“, sensory stress), among many other factors (Gurbuz et al., 2019; Clouder et al., 2020).”

“Universities are less aware of sensory characteristics (Knott & Taylor, 2014), and current autistic students describe the risks of sensory overload in the university environment (Gurbuz et al., 2019; Van Hees et al., 2015).”

“Regarding the university stage, the number of university students with autism is increasing, and it is crucial that these students can access adequate support [55,56].”

“However, they may also face challenges including stigma, isolation, executive functioning and selfadvocacy difficulties, sensory overload, and/or mental health issues (Anderson et al., 2020; Cai & Richdale, 2016; Gelbar et al., 2015; Gurbuz et al., 2019; Jackson et al., 2018; McLeod et al., 2021; McMorris et al., 2019…”

“These sensory sensitivities can affect university life due to the risk of sensory overload, meaning the individual is not able to function within that environment (Gurbuz et al., 2019; Van Hees at al., 2015).”

“A further limitation of this sample is that it does not directly compare the experiences of autistic higher education students and graduates with those of their neurotypical peers (Gurbuz et al., 2018).”

“Indeed, despite high levels of academic confidence, many autistic students report feeling isolated, stressed, anxious and depressed (Gurbuz et al., 2019; Volkmar et al., 2017).”

“In self-report studies, some ASD college students report a desire for friendships and social relationships, but difficulty attaining them, while others convey no desire/ need to meet people (Accardo, Bean, et al., 2019; Casement, 2017; Cullen, 2015; Dymond et al., 2017; Gurbuz et al., 2019; Harn et al., 2020; McLeod e…”

“, 2019), as well as the social experiences of autistic university students, including interaction and exclusion (Goddard & Cook, 2022; Gurbuz et al., 2019), social supports, networks and anxiety (Lei et al.”

“…and academic challenges encountered during study have been the subject of research for over a decade (e.g. Accardo et al. 2019; Anderson et al. 2019 ; Cox et al. 2017; Elias and White 2018; Gurbuz et al. 2018; Hillier et al. 2018; Kuder and Accardo 2018; Lambe et al. 2019; Ward and Webster 2018).”

“…people’s lack of understanding and awareness about autism and autistic people (Cage et al., 2020; Cage & Howes, 2020; Goddard & Cook, 2021; Gurbuz et al., 2019; Vincent et al., 2017), often leading to a lack of appropriate support and accommodations that could truly level the playing…”

“, poor communication and social skills were found to cause some students to struggle during class discussions, group work, and presentations (Cox et al. 2015; Gurbuz et al. 2019), and many were found to have few friends and/or suffer loneliness (e.”

“These findings support findings from qualitative research on autistic students’ growing procrastination, feelings of disengagement, and thoughts of withdrawal (J. M. Anderson, 2014; Cage & Howes, 2020; Gurbuz et al., 2019).”

“Therefore, it is common to discover autistic children with great potentials in achieving optimal development during adolescence and adulthood, including attending undergraduate education and working in certain fields according to special interests and talents (Gurbuz et al., 2019). These patients tend to act excessive…”

“, 2019), a growing literature highlights challenges they may face with social interactions, self-advocacy, executive functioning, and emotion regulation (Anderson et al., 2017; Elias & White, 2018; Gelbar et al., 2014; Gurbuz et al., 2019; S. L. Jackson et al., 2018).”

“On the other hand, many qualitative studies (Carrington et al., 2003; Gurbuz et al., 2019; O'Hagan and Hebron, 2017; Sumiya et al., 2018) explored the pleasurable experience regarding friendship and the desire to form and maintain friendships in certain individuals with ASD.”

“Moreover, students also reported feeling more con fi dent in achieving objectives when these were clearly stated and speci fi c expectations of what was expected of them were provided, aspects also identi fi ed in the work of Gurbuz, Hanley, and Riby (2019).”

“Despite strong academic skills (Jackson et al., 2018; Gurbuz et al., 2019 ), autistic individuals face several barri - ers that limit their enrollment, retention, academic achievements, and employment rates post-graduation compared to students with other disabilities and their neurotypical peers…”

“On a worldwide scale, university is believed to be a significant lifechanging experience that should hopefully enable young adults with the skills to transition into adulthood and life after university (Gurbuz et al., 2019).”

“1 3 Studies that evaluate these explanations typically focus exclusively on autistic students or compare autistic students to neurotypical students based on a binary classification of autism (e.g., Casagrande et al., 2020; Elias & White, 2018; Gurbuz et al., 2019; Jackson et al., 2018; Lei et al., 2019).”

“Despite these challenges, our sample was similar to other studies that compare autistic individuals with their NT peers 10,29,30 and the demographics are similar to the population of autistic college students.”

“Creating this “safe container” [47] reduces distress, distrust and reluctance to engage, and potentially eases the stress and tension experienced by learners who have challenges with social functioning and self-expression [51].”

“For autistic college students, challenges associated with lower academic success include difficulties with group work, sensory overload, burnout, and a lack of clear instructions regarding what was expected of them (Gurbuz et al., 2019).”

“An estimated 54–71% of autistic adults have at least one other psychiatric diagnosis, most commonly mood and anxiety disorders (Autism Spectrum Australia, 2013; Gurbuz et al., 2019; Jackson et al., 2018; Sobanski et al., 2007).”

“…findings are consistent with Vincent et al., (2017) participatory study and various other studies (Anderson et al., 2018; Hastwell et al., 2012; Gurbuz et al., 2019; Van Hees et al., 2015), which describe difficulties in relation to a perceived sense of difference, social interactions,…”

“Gurbuz, Hanley & Riby, (2019) also examined the social and academic experiences of university students with ASD in the UK and found significant academic challenges in students with ASD compared to non-autistic students.”

“Twenty six university students within the autism spectrum were compared with 158 neurotypical university students (from various universities within the uk) in a study in which they were asked to self-report their strengths and ‘challenges’ [23].”

“%) had gained university qualifications despite autistic people facing significant barriers that often result in them ‘dropping out’ of university (Gurbuz et al., 2019; Newman et al., 2011).”

“13 And when an autistic student does disclose, they may further be tasked with educating others about autism 5 or may be refused opportunities such as work-based placements because of stigma.”

“…perhaps unsurprising that students with autism report feeling lonely and isolated (Graetz & Spampinato, 2008), and that social difficulties at university are common (Gelbar et al, 2014; Jansen et al. 2018; Gurbuz et al, 2019), even if students themselves want to make friends (Vincent et al, 2017).”

“In discussion-based classes, like small seminar classes, students with ASD may struggle to interact and express ideas with peers (Gurbuz et al., 2018).”

“In Gurbuz et al. (10), students described a difficulty with pacing themselves, sometimes fixating on one subject at the cost of others and the risk of burnout – the potential downside of the ability and desire to ‘hyperfocus’ on a topic or assignment of particular interest.”

“On the other hand, Gurbuz, Hanley & Riby (2019) used an online questionnaire to investigate the social and academic experiences of autistic university students in the United Kingdom.”

“They also noted that the university setting provided an opportunity to test their personal abilities (Gurbuz et al., 2018).”

“Typical academic accommodations include extra time on exams, alternate testing sites, alternative assessment methods, note-takers, professors’ notes, technology supports, reduced course load, priority registration, and preferential seating (Barnhill, 2016; Gardner, 2020; Gurbuz et al., 2018).”

“However, social difficulties can prevent students with ASD putting social skills into practice (Gurbuz et al., 2018).”

“This has resulted in lower retention rates for autistic students and other students with disabilities within the United Kingdom (Cage & McManemy, 2022; Gurbuz et al., 2019) and the United States (Herbert et al., 2014; Newman et al., 2011).”

“Significant challenges among autistic youths involve social aspects, such as social skills, social support opportunities, and ASD awareness levels of others [9].”

“For example, group work, presentations and reduced processing speed can be a challenge for autistic students (Gurbuz et al., 2019), and similar effects may extend to students with elevated levels of autistic traits.”

“Speci fi cally, these studies have focused on autistic students ’ strengths and weaknesses 1 – 3,15, 25, 27 and, as a result, The variability in autistic students ’ abilities across contexts underscores the importance of supportive environments in shaping their experiences.”

“Though neurodivergent post-graduate students also shared that the faculty ’ s open-plan design was a barrier to their success, they reported fewer concerns about the faculty ’ s physical spaces compared to autistic undergraduate students (Gurbuz et al., 2019; O ’ Connor et al., 2024”

“Many choose not to disclose because they feel supports are unnecessary (Frost et al., 2019; Gurbuz et al., 2019).”

“In the UK, the number of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) at university is increasing (Gurbuz et al. 2019).”

“…may have visual, auditory or olfactory stimuli triggers that are not often considered in the planning of campus programming and activities 93,94 (cid:129) Accessibility for club sports, recreation and intramural programs can prove problematic for autistic students who have sensory concerns…”

“For those autistic people who attend higher education, there can be many challenges to overcome, including dif fi culties dealing with social interactions, course structure and curriculum demands (Bakker et al., 2023; Beardon et al., 2009; Cage & McManemy, 2022; Gurbuz et al., 2019).”

“…know that this population of 2E students also struggles with anxiety and depression, social isolation and loneliness, poor sleep, lack of structure and organization, and poor planning and time management skills (Anderson et al., 2018; Gelbar et al., 2015; Gurbuz et al., 2019; White et al., 2011).”

“In addition, college students had problems related to social skills include challenges to socialize or make friends, and difficulties to express themselves, and failure to seek appropriate support through self-advocacy and awareness of their problems (Gurbuz et al., 2018; Ward & Webster, 2018).”

“Autistic traits are prevalent among youth and are particularly common in college students, with approximately 15% – 30% exhibiting moderate-to-high levels and about 1% – 2% reaching clinically relevant thresholds (8 – 11).”

“…strategies and conducting further analysis of experiences across the broader autism spectrum can improve social inclusion programs, potentially enhancing the well-being, academic functioning, and satisfaction of university students (Ashbaugh et al., 2017; Davis et al., 2021; Gurbuz et al., 2019).”

“1 3 2018), academic (Gurbuz et al., 2019), and occupational under-achievement (Hayward et al.”

“…individuals report difficulties in areas such as expressing themselves, understanding verbal and non-verbal information, misunderstanding (neurotypical) social rules and difficulties initiating and/or maintaining social interactions (Gurbuz et al., 2019; Levi et al., 2023; Müller et al., 2008).”

“The severity of autistic symptoms, together with executive functioning skills, correlates with the academic progress of young adults with ASC in higher education (Dijkhuis et al., 2020) and later the transition to work (Gurbuz et al., 2019).”

“…communication, and maintaining reciprocal conversations (Hodges et al., 2020; Lord et al., 2018), can substantially affect individual functioning in a university setting, where social and communicative interactions are crucial for academic success and social integration (Gurbuz et al., 2018).”

“Autistic students face both academic and social challenges at university and they experience more dif fi culties with social functioning and mental health than non-autistic students (Gurbuz et al., 2019).”

“…the absence of inclusive educational environments that appreciate and account for neurodiversity, autistic students have reported difficulties accessing support, contributing to an increased risk of drop-out (Gurbuz, Hanley, and Riby 2019; McPeake et al. 2023; Van Bergeijk, Klin, and Volkmar 2008).”

“Previous research suggests that autistic students do perform more poorly on average than neurotypical students 8 and self-report having low motivation to study, 24 and so, it is possible that the participants detected genuine differences between the groups.”

“Although several studies 20,36 – 38 have — rightly — captured the voices and experiences of autistic students during this time, comparatively little attention has been given to the insights of disability support staff.”

“…concepts, difficul - ties in processing different information quickly, deficiencies in organizational skills, and time management, as well as deficits in managing social demands linked with the course, group work or presentations (Bakker et al., 2023; Gurbuz et al., 2019; Hees et al., 2015).”

“Autistic students report having to make extra effort to thrive at university (Gurbuz, Hanley, and Riby 2019) due to academic challenges, such as difficulties with processing speeds, time management and following lectures (MacLeod and Green 2009; Van Hees, Moyson, and Roeyers 2015; Anderson, Carter,…”

“The social skills of LSENs require social support in every activity and opportunity on hand; increased social awareness is essential to be responsive to their needs (Gurbuz et al., 2019).”