The experiences of college students on the autism spectrum: a comparison to their neurotypical peers
Abstract
This study describes the academic, social, and health experiences of college students on the autism spectrum as they compare to students with other disabilities and their non-disabled, neurotypical peers. Data were from an online survey of college students at 14 public institutions (N = 3073). There were few significant differences between students on the spectrum and students with other disabilities. Both groups of students reported significantly worse outcomes than neurotypical students on academic performance, social relationships and bullying, and physical and mental health. The findings suggest that some of the challenges students on the spectrum face in college result from the stigma and social rejection associated with disability rather than from the unique characteristics of autism.
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Obtaining a clear picture of outcomes for neurodivergent students at university is complex because many do not disclose their diagnosis, and others may not have a formal diagnosis when they commence their studies.
“Obtaining a clear picture of outcomes for neurodivergent students at university is complex, not least because many do not disclose their diagnosis, and others may not have a formal diagnosis when they commence their studies (McLeod et al., 2019; Clouder et al., 2020).”
From Compassionate pedagogy for neurodiversity in higher education: A conceptual analysis (2023) · cites this paper as McLeod et al., 2019
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References 100 · Cited by 149
- Authors
- McLeod, J. D., Meanwell, E., & Hawbaker, A.
- Affiliations
- Indiana University Bloomington (US)
- Corresponding author
- McLeod, Jane D.
- Venue
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Published
- 2019-02-02
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 2320-2336
- ISSN
- 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3432
- OpenAlex
- W2914644561
- Cited by
- 149
- References
- 100
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 5
- FWCI
- 7.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Department of Sociology, Indiana University (NA)
- Office of the Vice Provost for Research, Indiana University (NA)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Disability Education and Employment
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Inclusion and Disability in Education and Sport
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, university students, neurotypical peers, disability comparison, academic performance, interpersonal relationships, bullying, mental health, physical health, disability stigma, social rejection, higher education
- MeSH terms
- Academic Performance, Adult, Autistic Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Peer Group, Surveys and Questionnaires, Psychological Distance, Students, Universities, Young Adult, Social Stigma, Bullying
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