Abstract
Outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adulthood are sobering, and many individuals with autism fail to establish independence, graduate from college, or find meaningful work. At the same time, individuals with ASD are increasingly entering higher education environments. While this is exciting to see, it has also presented a variety of challenges. Institutions of higher education need to provide for a smooth transition and must be prepared to address the needs of students with academic accommodations, specialized adjustment programs, and individualized coaching/skill building. In order to be successful, adequate planning must take place and individualized supports must be provided. In this chapter, we will review what is known about the process of adaptation to college. In addition, we will review what supports are commonly needed for individuals with ASD and how some colleges are meeting these needs. We will also discuss the importance of transition planning, so that preparation for college is occurring many years before entrance, and so that individuals are equipped with the skills likely to make them successful and engaged college students.
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Volpe, S., Weiss, M.J., Boone, V. (2022). Issues in Individuals with ASD in Higher Education Environments. In: Leaf, J.B., Cihon, J.H., Ferguson, J.L., Gerhardt, P.F. (eds) Handbook of Quality of Life for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98507-3_9
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