Research

This section of the College Autism Network website presents three distinct sets of research-related resources.

Quick Links: Key organizations, services, and resources for students and advocates

Issue Brief: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are completing high school with reasonable expectations for postsecondary success. College educators are likely ill prepared to provide appropriate support for these students.

Fast Fact #1: Why do only 1 in 225 new college students report having autism?

Journal of College Student Development: A large and fast-growing population of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are completing high school with reasonable expectations for postsecondary success. However, without empirical literature to guide them, college educators are likely ill prepared to provide appropriate support for these students. Drawing from personal interviews with a diverse group of students with autism…

Our Research

Members of the CAN team are actively generating new scholarship related to college students with autism. The products of this work (including conference papers, presentations, and posters) categorized as “original research” on this website.

Literature Reviews

The CAN team regularly reviews other scholars’ articles published in peer-reviewed journals. We hope to make this body of research more user-friendly and readily accessible by providing a summary of each article, offering a brief critique, and discussing the implications of the findings.

Types of Supports

There are numerous supports available for college students on the spectrum. It can be confusing and overwhelming to decide what is right for you or your student. We created these resources after research into various college support programs to help guide you through the process of finding a college that is the best fit for your situation.

Fast Fact #12: University Life with ASD: Faculty Knowledge and Student Needs

Fast Fact #12 University Life with ASD: Faculty Knowledge and Student Needs Students with ASD are frustrated with trying to access support. Source: Zeedyk, S.M., Boulourian. Y., & Blacher, J. (2019). University life with ASD: Faculty knowledge and student...

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Fast Fact #11: Narratives of the University Experience from Students with ASD and ADHD

Fast Fact #11 Narratives of the University Experience from Students with ASD or ADHD Some students felt it was constructive to disclose their diagnosis to professors. Other students described negative reactions to disclosure. This material is based, in part,...

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Fast Fact #10 College Success Means More than Just Grades

Fast Fact #10 College Success Means More than Just Grades Researchers asked students “how do you define success as a college student?” Their answers suggest students seek accomplishment both inside and outside the classroom. Source: Accardo, A. L. (2017)....

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Fast Fact #9 Mentoring can be more than academic.

Typical accommodations for students with autism in higher education focus on academic issues. But students with autism might also benefit from mentors focused on social and emotional needs. Such guidance would be especially important for students just beginning their college experience.

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Fast Fact #8 Why don’t accommodations always work?

Formal accommodations may not adequately support students’ academic needs. One reason for this deficiency is that student accommodations are not always fulfilled by teachers, which can be very challenging for students.

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