Empowering Autistic College Students: Recommendations Based on a Review of the Literature and Existing Support Programs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58997/fa3Keywords:
autism, student success, postsecondary, autism-specific programs, academic supportsAbstract
A review of 29 juried journal articles from 2009–2022, among other sources, found that autistic students face numerous systemic barriers to success in postsecondary settings. Despite autistic students being academically prepared, many are not persisting and completing a postsecondary program. Major findings from the literature include the benefits of additional support for autistic students in the areas of executive functioning skills, selfregulation, mental health, social, and communication skills. Additionally, the research indicates that by offering additional support services, colleges and universities can decrease the systemic barriers to success that autistic students face. The author also discusses the available autism-specific support programs that provide additional services amongst this growing population of students.
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