Cited by 232Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchDisability Education and EmploymentHigher Education Research Studies

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

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Gurbuz, Emine, Hanley, Mary, Riby, Deborah M.·2019·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

DOI 10.1007/s10803-018-3741-4PMC PMC6373295

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Abstract

The number of university students with autism is increasing, and it is crucial that these students can access adequate support. An online questionnaire was completed by 26 autistic students and 158 non-autistic students enrolled at UK universities to investigate social and academic experiences. Autistic students self-reported significant challenges and more mental health difficulties than non-autistic students. Significant challenges focused on the social components of university life, including social skills, social support opportunities, and levels of ASD awareness from others. Many strengths were also reported regarding academic skills of autistic university students. Importantly, there were more thoughts of withdrawal by the students with autism highlighting the need for support. These data can inform university student support services.

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Method
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Influential
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“Everyone Has a Different Body Constitution”: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Social Interaction and Related Supports in Chinese Autistic Postsecondary Students
Tong, A. S. L., & Lam, G. Y. H. (2026) · Autism · doi:10.1177/13623613261466305
“There were some qualitative studies focusing on the experience of social life and its impact on academic development and mental well-being of autistic students in university (e.g., Goddard & Cook, 2022; Gurbuz et al., 2019; Scott & Sedgewick, 2021).”
Diseño, validación y pilotaje de un programa virtual de entrenamiento en habilidades sociales para jóvenes universitarios con autismo
Guajardo-Sáez, C., & Acuña, E. F. A. (2026) · Revista de Investigación en Logopedia · doi:10.5209/rlog.106200
“…pues las exigencias sensoriales, organizativas y aca-démicas de la vida universitaria generan una carga adicional para estos estudiantes cuando las estructuras institucionales carecen de dichos apoyos adaptativos (Gurbuz et al., 2019; Smith et al., 2025; Syriopoulou-Delli et al., 2024).”
Validating the Academic Learning Experiences Questionnaire: Microtransitions, Sensory Reactivity, and Cognitive-Attentional Dimensions in Autistic University Students
Anns, S., Davis, C., Millington, J., & Terry, J. (2026) · Autism in Adulthood · doi:10.1177/25739581261462082
Neurodiversity, academic inclusion and student loyalty: a mixed-method study among public and private universities
Joshi, A., Khatun, A., & Afaq, A. (2026) · Journal of Organizational Effectiveness People and Performance · doi:10.1108/joepp-05-2025-0395
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Mastrokoukou, S., Georgopoulos, N. B., Longobardi, C., Lin, S.-Y., & Kaliris, A. (2026) · International Journal of Inclusive Education · doi:10.1080/13603116.2026.2688228
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Smith, M., Armitage, K., Montasem, A., & Ibeachu, C. (2026) · Routledge Open Research · doi:10.12688/routledgeopenres.19371.2
Autistic Traits and Academic Procrastination Among University Students: Latent Profile Analysis and Mediation Analysis
Meng, F., & Xuan, B. (2026) · The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher · doi:10.1007/s40299-026-01105-1
“Other studies on the self-reported experiences of university students with autism revealed differences from non-autistic peers in processing speed, time management, group work, and motivation, which may contribute to increased procrastination (Anderson et al., 2017; Gurbuz et al., 2019).”
The Listening Classroom: Professor and Cultural Change in Inclusion for Students on the Autism Spectrum
Aguirre-Villalobos, E. R., Godoy-Donoso, D. P., González-Otárola, L., & Ferrer-Mavárez, M. D. L. Á. (2026) · Social Inclusion · doi:10.17645/si.11675
“Some research (Anderson et al., 2021; Gurbuz et al., 2019) warns that university environments are rarely prepared to accommodate neurocognitive diversity, leading to experiences of isolation, anxiety, and academic withdrawal.”
A Scale Development and Examination of Neurotypical College Students' Perceived Barriers to Interacting With Peers on the Autism Spectrum.
Chagnon, Z. H., Casper, D. M., Witte, T. H., & Tomeny, T. S. (2026) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s10803-025-07210-2
‘It was a road to understanding that I was always different’: Experiences of receiving a neurodivergent diagnosis at university
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Psychological Well-Being in Autistic College Students: Testing and Extending the Social Cognitive Well-Being Model
Hu, X., Flores, L. Y., & Nowell, K. P. (2025) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s10803-025-06929-2
Promoting Autism Acceptance Through “Understanding Friends on the Autism Spectrum” Webinar for University Students
Larashati, T. M., & Paramita, P. P. (2025) · KnE Social Sciences · doi:10.18502/kss.v10i7.18301
“As a result, mental health problems were more common among students with autism than those without autism (10)(11).”
Economic Barriers of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Bibliometric Analysis
Arı, A. A., Afşar, K. E., Yazıcı, İ., & Gökçek, M. E. (2025) · Bulletin of Economic Theory and Analysis · doi:10.25229/beta.1523173
The Impact of Metaphoric Language Intervention on Psychological Perceptions of Students with Autism
Ke, Y., Chen, L., & Zhou, X. (2024) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s10803-024-06662-2 · Cited by 1
“…educational programs can enhance classroom dynamics, improving students’ enjoy - ment of their educational experiences, interaction quality, and the effectiveness of language therapy for students with autism (Ashbaugh et al., 2017; Davis et al., 2021 ; Gurbuz et al., 2019 ; O’Shea et al., 2024).”
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Kruck, J., Dell'Armi, M., & Cilia, F. (2024) · L’Année de la recherche en sciences de l’éducation · doi:10.3917/arse.241.0219
Descripción de una Muestra de Población Adulta con Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA) en Panamá
Palacios, A., Pimentel, M., Oviedo, D. C., & León, N. D. (2023) · Investigación y Pensamiento Crítico · doi:10.37387/ipc.v11i2.349
“…frente a situaciones nuevas incluyendo cambios inesperados, dificultades en el contacto social, gestión del tiempo, sobrecarga sensorial y problemas de salud mental que pueden afectar el desempeño durante la formación académica (Accardo et al., 2019; Gurbuz et al., 2019; Van Hees et al., 2015).”
Influential
Independence Habituation of Autism Students in the Learning Management
Wilujeng, N., Karnawati, T., & Bukhori, M. (2020) · JPBM (Jurnal Pendidikan Bisnis dan Manajemen) · doi:10.17977/um003v6i12020p032
“Several autism students have excellent academic competence and possibly have the ability to apply those skills to live independently (Anderson et al., 2016; Gurbuz et al., 2019).”
Background
Neurodiversity and generative AI in higher education: A sequential multi-method qualitative study of students’ interactions, motivations, and strategies
Cunff, A. L., Dommett, E. J., & Compton, M. (2026) · International Journal of Educational Research · doi:10.1016/j.ijer.2026.103135
REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA DA LITERATURA: ADAPTAÇÃO ACADÊMICA EM UNIVERSITÁRIOS COM TRANSTORNO DO ESPECTRO AUTISTA1
Araujo, A. P. D. O. F., & Monteiro, M. C. L. D. M. (2025) · Revista Brasileira de Educação Especial · doi:10.1590/1980-54702025v31e0062
Cognitive Dissonance of a Neuro-Normative Perspective on Autism: A Review
Tooze, L. (2024) · Voice of the Publisher · doi:10.4236/vp.2024.104029 · Cited by 1
The learning experiences of UK autistic university students during the Covid-19 pandemic
Parker, L., & Clarke, V. (2023) · QMiP Bulletin · doi:10.53841/bpsqmip.2023.1.36.15
Self-Determination Skills of College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Lubin, J., & Null, N. (2020) · John Heinrichs Scholarly & Creative Activities Day · doi:10.58809/kenx6266
“%) of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) successfully complete postsecondary education (Gurbuz et al., 2019).”
Background

Authors: Gurbuz, E., Hanley, M., & Riby, D. M.
Affiliations: Durham University (GB)
ORCID: Gurbuz, Emine
Hanley, Mary
Riby, Deborah M.
Venue: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2018-09-01
Volume: 49
Issue: 2
Pages: 617-631
ISSN: 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
1573-3432
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3741-4
PMC: PMC6373295
OpenAlex: W2889171854
Cited by: 232
References: 84
Citations by year: 2026: 21 · 2025: 60 · 2024: 50 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 10
FWCI: 7.89
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: hybrid
doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 (tdm)
Locations: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Durham Research Online (Durham University) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
Durham Research Online (Durham University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders: Durham Doctoral Scholarship
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Social Sciences › Education › Disability Education and Employment
Social Sciences › Education › Higher Education Research Studies
Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, autistic university students, higher education, social experience, academic experience, mental health, social skills, social support, academic skills, withdrawal, student support services
MeSH terms: Academic Performance, Adolescent, Autistic Disorder, Education, Special, Female, United Kingdom, Humans, Male, Social Support, Students, Universities, Young Adult, Self Report, Social Skills

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

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