Postsecondary Education for Students with ASD: Essential Support Systems

Student Life on the Autism Spectrum: Exploring the Role of Student Housing in Experiences of Three Students

“…Moreover, Eline and Ruth chose not to disclose their autism to their housemates. Although disclosing could help young adults receive the support they may need (Van Hees et al, 2015), some fear that exposing themselves leads to being perceived as different and set apart from non‐autistic peers (Hendrickson et al, 2017), and therefore prefer that people are unaware (Lowinger, 2019; Van Hees et al, 2015). As a result, the involvement of the female participants' housemates was canceled (Eline) or replaced by a parent (Ruth).…”

“…Thirdly, a decrease in family involvement means that autistic students may have to advocate for themselves during new situations, unexpected changes, and sensory issues (Lowinger, 2019;Van Hees et al, 2015). They may also have difficulties with life skills cooking, eating healthy, shopping, cleaning, maintaining hygiene, a sleeping schedule and a budget, driving and using public transport which are needed when living independently (Atsmon et al, 2019).…”

“…These result from the increased demands of higher education (Hendrickson et al, 2017;Van Hees et al, 2015) to adjust and self-advocate For students on the autism spectrum, the transition to living in student housing, possibly in a new city, brings additional unique and complex challenges… within this novel and complex environment (Hendrickson et al, 2017). Challenges arise in different domains, including education, student life, and daily (independent) living (Lowinger, 2019;Van Hees et al, 2015).…”

“…Second, possible challenges with communication in everyday life (Hendrickson et al, 2017; Lowinger, 2019; Van Hees et al, 2015) may hinder access to wanted and needed social aspects of campus life (Lowinger, 2019). Compared to non‐autistic people, autistic people tend to have more difficulties with social norms and living up to society's expectations (Atsmon et al, 2019; Pearlman‐Avnion et al, 2019; Spek, 2014).…”

“…For students on the autism spectrum, the transition to living in student housing, possibly in a new city, brings additional unique and complex challenges (Hendrickson et al, 2017;Lowinger, 2019;Van Hees et al, 2015). These result from the increased demands of higher education (Hendrickson et al, 2017;Van Hees et al, 2015) to adjust and self-advocate For students on the autism spectrum, the transition to living in student housing, possibly in a new city, brings additional unique and complex challenges… within this novel and complex environment (Hendrickson et al, 2017).…”