Austic Spectrum Condition (ASC) in HE
Having ASC when in higher education can come with a number of academic, social, and environmental challenges. Sadly, autistic students face higher dropout rates compared to their peers. Key issues can include sensory overload, social isolation, and difficulties with executive functions, however, many autistic students also possess strengths like attention to detail and strong memory.
Support can involve a combination of academic accommodations (like testing adjustments and flexible learning), non-academic support (such as social skills training and counseling), and it is important that we foster a university-wide culture of inclusion and staff training to create a more supportive environment.
Key challenges for autistic students include a number of academic, social and envronmental issues:
- Academic: Difficulty with abstract concepts, time management, and group work.
- Social: Feelings of isolation, stigma, bullying, and difficulty with social interactions.
- Environmental: Sensory overload from loud, bright, colourful, or chaotic environments
- Mental health: High rates of anxiety, depression, and stress result due to these factors.
However, it should also be noted that some autistic traits can be beneficial in Higher Education. Autistic students may exhibit:
- Attention to detail and strong memory
- Intense focus and determination
- Logical and rational thinking
- Unique problem-solving angles
The university should train staff to support accommodations for students with ASD. This requires adjustments to be made on an individual level to accomodate specific students needs.
- Academic adjustments might include:
- Flexible learning options,
- alternative course materials and assessment formats,
- transcripts of lectures, and
- assistive technology.
- Social and personal support:
- Social skills training,
- peer-mediated support,
- counseling, and
- early arrival transition programs.
- Disability services: Utilize university disability services for specific accommodations like testing adjustments or note-taking.
- Staff training: Universities are increasingly implementing training for staff to help them understand autism and provide practical strategies for support.
- Inclusion: Creating a culture of inclusion and valuing the strengths autistic students may bring is crucial for their success.
At present, there is a pressure from the government for higher education settings such as
universities to move towards inclusive practice. This means there shouldn’t be a need for
colleges and universities to make reasonable adjustments, as they are already in place as
part of daily practice. These include:
- making resources and lecture materials available online and in advance of classes
- assistive computer programmes to be installed on library computers and computers in labs.
- Varying assessment methods (presentations, take-home exam papers, essays, multiple-choice exams)
- allowing recording devices and laptops in lectures, seminars and exams.
Universities are slowly moving towards this which will aid the support that students with ASC have available.
