Beyond Labels: Unlocking Success – A Guide to University Support for Autistic Students
Written by Jess French
When I tell people that I’m autistic, I usually get confused responses with the familial phrase, “but you don’t look autistic”. These stereotypes arise due to the misconceptions and the misunderstanding of autism. Due to this stereotype, I spent a lot of my university experience feeling lonely and having to mask my behaviours to fit into a society that wasn’t aware of my struggles. Not understanding means not getting the adequate support that you need.
The harsh but realistic facts are that a majority of autistic individuals struggle in educational settings. For instance, 2.4% of the UK student population are diagnosed with autism, and less than 40% of these people complete their university education (Gurbuz et al., 2019). Statistically, therefore, not many autistic students are leaving university with a degree, but I want to emphasise that with the right support, it is possible. I am in my final year of university as a first generation student. If I can do it, so can you!
Below I will discuss the support that is available and where to find it.
Resources
The Welfare and Diversity Sector
Loughborough University’s Student Union has nine associations of which can be found using this link: https://lsu.co.uk/welfare-diversity/associations which promote welfare and support among a variety of underrepresented groups.
During your time at university, I highly recommend that you engage in this association's content. The Disability Support Network (DSN) is a student-led association that represents students who identify living with a disability. If you follow this link, you can find WhatsApp group chats to connect with people who can emphasise and understand what you’re going through. https://chat.whatsapp.com/HIW1iTcNMXJIy2guF1Qoct
This association is specific to Loughborough, if you attend a different university, it would be recommended to check your universities website page and services to see what they offer.
University Student Services
Loughborough have incredible services to support individuals who struggle with mental health and disabilities. They can provide a variety of support such as assessment adjustments, support with the transition to university and 1-1 meetings. The disability and health portal can be found here: https://lucas.lboro.ac.uk/web_apx/f?p=144:101:11497588541822:
These student services, as provided by the link, are specific to Loughborough. Again, I would advise that if you attend a different university, it would be recommended to check your universities website page and services to see what they offer.
Apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance
DSAs help to pay for any extra costs associated with studying of which incur as a direct result of a disability. The allowance can help to pay for items of specialist equipment, travel and other course-related costs. Any extra help is always important whilst living at university.
Here would be a useful starting point to better understand DSA: https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa
Support
It is crucial to create a support network whilst residing at university. Ensure that you keep in contact with friends and family from home and keep them updated with how you are coping. Remember that it is not a sign of weakness to ask for help, but of strength. A strong support network consisting of trusted individuals and associations can ensure that you have adequate support when things start to get difficult at university.
Create a sensory-friendly environment
Creating a sensory-friendly study environment is crucial for us autistic students to enhance focus and reduce stress. Try to select a quiet study space such as the library and use noise-cancelling headphones to minimise noise from your surroundings.
Establish a routine for your study sessions and maintain consistency in your chosen study environment as familiarity can help reduce anxiety and improve concentration.
Connect with like-minded peers
Connecting with peers can provide a supportive social network. Therefore, try to research and join sports clubs or societies on campus which align with your interests. This will ensure that you are meeting people who are like-minded and have topics of interest to discuss.
The university has many incredible events, there are also numerous opportunities to get involved in volunteering, which you can find on the LSU Action page (https://lsu.co.uk/action).
Remember, the university experience is diverse, and there are many ways to connect with peers. Embrace the opportunities available to you, and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to build meaningful connections.
Advocate for yourself
Whilst this may sound daunting, reaching out to your professors, classmates and support staff can ensure you get the right support. Request the accommodations that can provide you with a more comfortable learning environment. You deserve to have the university experience that allows you to thrive.
Reach out to your personal tutor, module leaders and familiarise yourself with the university resources, they are there to support you through your journey!
Remember, advocating for yourself is an ongoing process, and it's okay to reassess and modify your accommodations as needed.
Autistic students can find success by tapping into their passions, leveraging their keen attention to detail, and cultivating a supportive network. Through self-advocacy and effective communication with academic staff, support services, and peers, autistic students can access accommodations that create a comfortable learning environment. It’s important to note that thriving is not just regarding academic achievements, but also finding a sense of belonging and fostering connections. By embracing our neurodiversity and seeking support, we can triumph the university experience.