What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
- Neurodevelopmental disability; most college students will have positive gifts and strengths
- Potential challenges with organization, planning, attention/focus, time management, task initiation, stress/emotion regulation
- Differences in communication, repetitive behaviors, heightened sensations (sound, light, smells, etc.) compared to neurotypical students
- Many autistic students have learned to “mask” (their differenced) and may be reluctant to discussing their experience due to stigma and/or ableism
What You Might See in Class
- Different communication patterns, including
- non-verbal (eye contact, posture, gestures, etc.)
- Sensory hypersensitivity
- Needing/requesting extra time for processing in class of exams/assignments
- Different class discussion norms or engagement (e.g., monopolizing discussion, withdrawn from discussion)
- Strong, focused, impassioned interests
Support Strategies
- Build positive relationships with your students and provide active outreach to them
- Provide clear instructions/expectations for all course activities
- Utilize syllabus. Note/update any changes ASAP
- Supplement instructions multi-modally (e.g., oral in-class instructions alongside written instructions)
- Allow breaks during class
- Avoid “cold-calling” in class
- Options for in-class participation expectations
- Multi-modal learning tools (visuals, etc.)
- Provide clear expectations and guidelines for group work
- Embrace Universal Design principles