
Autism in the Classroom: Making Education Accessible
Autistic STEM grad student Patrick Dwyer recommends families and autistic students take a self-guided campus tour. Video tour of UC Davis, packed with tips.
28 articles

Autistic STEM grad student Patrick Dwyer recommends families and autistic students take a self-guided campus tour. Video tour of UC Davis, packed with tips.

STS is excited to present a 30-minute talk, "Improving College Outcomes: Autistic STEM Students," at this…

Building social confidence levels means being prepared and knowledgeable in a variety of common situations. Learn more here.

Brief video. Declaring a disability in college? College transition expert Susan Woods introduces families to the basics in order to access accommodations.

Video overview of college student housing with STEM grad student Patrick Dwyer. Noise, room accommodations, issues with roommates, and more.

Worried about someone saying something rude or inappropriate about your research? STEM grad student Laura Gilmour shares key presentation and conference pointers.

Check for filler words. Are you overly using “like” or “um?” While these are somewhat normalized in daily speaking and often increase during nervous moments, making note of your habits can help you be aware of what you might say and help decrease use of them.

I think I see reality quite lyrically so it was the way that I see reality that helped me with the gorillas at first. I think that lyricism is present in most people on the spectrum. That's why when they interface with a world that's very hard and materialistic, they need rules that are unshakable and unchangeable, because their birth orientation is to be a part of everything

Prince-Hughes completed regular coursework and assisted around the zoo. She was given the responsibility of monitoring a gorilla with a serious illness. Her work on that task was pivotal: the director of the zoo was so impressed that he sponsored a series of gorilla behavior research projects.

Autistic students do come through the CWE program in our department...We find that the student who has gone through CWE with an employer has an easier time transitioning to full time employment due to the created familiarity with the employer and/or coworkers.

Hear from an autistic STEM employee about the college transition and how he's succeeding in the workforce.

For many autistic and neurotypical students, college presents a depth of challenges, course material, and independence that they likely haven’t had much experience with before. UDL can support instruction and student growth.

If we ban technology, we are hurting some of the most vulnerable students and infringing on their rights to access accommodations.

This is the final part of a three-part series about being an autistic graduate student. In [part…

Your academic journey may take some time, maybe even lots more time. Do your best and enjoy the ride, and don’t judge your self-worth by the length of time it takes to complete a degree, the grades you earn, or the salary you make.

Simple steps for incorporating UDL principles into your pedagogy. Lecture, resource, syllabus, and assessment strategies.

Don’t be discouraged if a first or second attempt at reaching out fails—just look for the next opportunity.

Audio interview. Dr. Schalomon: "If you don't quite know what the student needs, go to the student and ask."

Always be respectful and professional when corresponding with a professor or course instructor. Using “Dear” to begin emails, using the professor’s last name (i.e. Professor Brown), and signing off with a “Thank you,” or “Sincerely” goes a long way!

Align your strengths with your interests. Find a supportive mentor. Be willing to accept some trial-and-error. Autistic students can succeed in STEM.

Laura Gilmour shares her journey from new student learning about college expectations to confident graduate student conducting her own STEM research.

Answer questions about the syllabus. Use unambiguous language. Julia Leverone shares simple supports that autistic students can ask their professors for.

Dr. Julia Leverone demystifies the process of talking to college professors for autistic students and explains why it can be helpful to approach them.

Consider the syllabus a mini-rule book. These documents can be upwards of seven or eight pages (yikes!), but Katie Matthews helps students sort it all out.

Anxiety can be especially overwhelming and negatively impact the school experience. Luckily, there are many strategies you can use to reduce your anxiety and make you feel more confident and positive. Remember: you are not alone!

Meeting with the Disabilities Services Office during your first week of college classes is just one important step for autistic students.

Be prepared to step back. This might be easier said than done, but treating your autistic student like an adult is key to their academic growth.

Accommodations. Supports. Privacy Laws. These and other considerations can help autistic students decide whether to disclose their diagnosis in college.