Form: Prepare students with Autism for higher education Action Why How Target outcome Notes for action Provide Students may not think This can be done on an Students are better information University is for them. They may individual basis or with informed about what about not have a social network with the entire class. university is, and university which to discuss their options. whether it is something they would consider. Gain some Familiarise students with a Approach a local Students are eased into concrete campus, explore the differences university to ask for a the initial shock of the experience of between school and university, campus tour and size of a university and university and experience a lecture in a sample lecture. Most have experienced larger setting than school. universities have campus as a social as University Open Days are widening participation well as educational traditionally very busy and targets to encourage setting. crowded and students with under-represented Autism may need additional students to consider experience of campus life university. Positive role Students may feel university is Approach local Encouraged beliefs that model “not for someone like them” universities and ask for Autism is not a barrier to when this is not necessarily the their success stories, succeeding in higher case. for example successful education. students, researchers etc. with Autism. There are also first person accounts online. Gaining Many students with Autism can Encourage graded Students feel more independence have particular food practice of the living confident with public preferences and may not be skills needed at transport or general aware that they can fulfil these University. These skills travel and are reassured by being flexible with café can include ordering that buying food for menus and shopping. They may food at a café or the themselves (and/or canteen, taking public cooking) is achievable.
Form: Prepare students with Autism for higher education Action Why How Target outcome Notes for action Provide information about university Students may not think University is for them. They may not have a social network with which to discuss their options. This can be done on an individual basis or with the entire class. Students are better informed about what university is, and whether it is something they would consider. Gain some concrete experience of university Familiarise students with a campus, explore the differences between school and university, and experience a lecture in a larger setting than school. University Open Days are traditionally very busy and crowded and students with Autism may need additional experience of campus life Approach a local university to ask for a campus tour and sample lecture. Most universities have widening participation targets to encourage under-represented students to consider university. Students are eased into the initial shock of the size of a university and have experienced campus as a social as well as educational setting. Positive role model Students may feel university is “not for someone like them” when this is not necessarily the case. Approach local universities and ask for their success stories, for example successful students, researchers etc. with Autism. There are also first person accounts online. Encouraged beliefs that Autism is not a barrier to succeeding in higher education. Gaining independence Many students with Autism can have particular food preferences and may not be aware that they can fulfil these by being flexible with café menus and shopping. They may Encourage graded practice of the living skills needed at University. These skills can include ordering food at a café or the canteen, taking public Students feel more confident with public transport or general travel and are reassured that buying food for themselves (and/or cooking) is achievable.
Form_Prepare_students_with_Autism_for_higher_education%5b1%5d.docx