I am a College Graduate: Postsecondary Experiences as Described by Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

have been multiple changes to the criteria for ASD diagnosis. In 1994, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-4; American Psychiatric Association [APA]) labeled the category of people with ASD and average or above average intellectual abilities as having Asperger syndrome (AS). An AS diagnosis required that individuals demonstrate impairments in social functioning, some type of restricted or repetitive behavior, and normal language development (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Most recently, the DSM-V removed the category of AS entirely (APA, 2013). Individuals who would have previously been diagnosed with AS will now likely fall under the umbrella diagnosis of ASD or to a new DSM-V diagnosis of Social Pragmatic Disorder (APA, 2013). The participants in the current study fall into these described diagnostic categories, with several publicly identifying as an "Aspy" in relation to their previous AS diagnosis. This paper will identify participants as simply being an individual with ASD, rather than using social pragmatic disorder or AS in order to best align with the current diagnostic terminology in the DSM-V.Young adults with ASD who enroll in PSE following high school graduation may face communication, behavioral and social skill challenges. These challenges may contribute to the low postsecondary education rates for individuals with ASD when compared to individuals belonging to other disability categories (Hendricks, 2010;

Welcoming autistic students to academic libraries through innovative space utilization

“…Loud noises make it difficult for students to concentrate and can increase anxiety (Cai & Richdale, 2016;Landon et al, 2016;Robertson & Ne'eman, 2008;Smith & Sharp, 2013). In addition to noise, other sensitivities that may impact students trying to use the library are visual (including lights, colors, and patterns), olfactory, and tactile (Robledo et al, 2012;Lizotte, 2018).…”

“…The brightness, hum, and flickering of lights have all been mentioned as causing unpleasant sensory responses (Landon et al, 2016;Lizotte, 2018). The lighting in Room 409 is flexible, having two sets of ceiling lights that can be turned on and off separately.…”

Using a strengths‐based approach to improve employment opportunities for individuals with autism spectrum disorder

“…While some need much help in their daily lives, others do not (CDC, 2020). Autism is not unique to race, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups (Lizotte, 2018). According to estimates, one in 160 children are diagnosed with ASD worldwide (World Health Organization, 2019).…”

“…The vast majority of the research on ASD is focused on young children, the effectiveness of early intervention (Gelbar et al., 2014), and developing systems to assist individuals with ASD to transition from high school to postsecondary education (Lizotte, 2018). However, only minimal research is done on the investigation of practices to aid their transition and retention in the workplace (Johnson et al., 2020).…”

“…Congressional mandates on the transition from school to work (e.g., the Carl D. Perkins Act of 1984, the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014) have not altogether improved the unemployment rates for people with disabilities.Among the groups of people with disabilities, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience "unacceptably low" employment rates and the lowest pay rates leaving them at risk for unemployment and underemployment (Bush & Tasse, 2017;Dreaver et al, 2019;Nicholas et al, 2019). Paradoxically, individuals on the spectrum are increasingly becoming of working age (Hensel, 2017;Lizotte, 2018) and furthermore the increase in higher-functioning individuals with ASD results in a growing number pursuing postsecondary degrees (Gelbar et al, 2014;Nicholas et al, 2019). ASD is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020).…”