What accomodations can make uni more possible for an autistic student?

I've previously massively struggled with the transition of going to uni. I've been considering trying uni again this year, but as an autistic person I've realised I need all the support I can get in order for it to work out for me. A lot of this means advocating for yourself, so I was wondering if anyone could give tips/advice on what to do / ask for to make uni more accomodating for me as an autistic student please?

Reply 1

Beth - UOS

Official Rep

Original post

by miiiiim

Hello!

While I am not sure of the universities that you are considering, I would always recommend to get in contact with the disability support team. They can be really useful both before studying and during your studies to ensure your needs are met, and support plans are passed onto the appropriate people.
By contacting them, they can discuss with you your individual needs, and what they as a university can support you with and offer - this may also help your decision in deciding on a university, depending on what support is available to you!

Good luck with everything, and if you have any questions feel free to get in touch.

Beth
BA Primary Education with QTS/MA Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion
University of Sunderland Student Ambassador

Reply 2

aspalax

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by miiiiim

I had support with DSA for autism at university - some of the accomodations they were able to offer me were:
- extra time in exams (although I didn't actually have exams, it did sometimes mean I could get coursework extentions)
- quiet areas in university buildings (admittedly typically with PCs that didn't have the specialist software I needed for my degree)
- 1:1 coaching about any autism-related concerns with someone who worked at the university
- some software for helping with organisation and interview preperation

This will vary depending on the facilities they have at the universities you're applying to. Often at open days there is an opportunity to talk to the DSA team and they may be able to tell you what accomodations they can offer and how they can support you. They are literally there to support you so often they are good at getting you access to accomodations and sometimes can discuss with teaching staff on your behalf etc if you're feeling worried about not being listened to.

Lecturers, personal tutors and course leads may also be able to support you with in-lecture accomodations (sometimes this can be as simple as an understanding that you might sometimes need to leave a lecture before the end and you're not doing it to be rude!). So it's worth chatting to them about what you might need from them, too.

Reply 3

UEA Rep Jas

Official Rep

Hi there!

Here are some accommodations I make for myself as a neurodivergent student, that might help!

Accommodations that I can make for myself/that don't require speaking to the disability team:

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Wearing loops (or similar) in lectures or seminars, you could also speak to your lecturers about wearing noise cancelling headphones. My uni lets us wear loops in exams too since they're not actually headphones

•

Using fidget toys etc can help too!

•

I drive to uni! This means that I don't have to deal with the extra sensory input/time stressors etc that can come with public transport. I get a disability parking permit through UEA, this is something to talk to the disability team about!

•

Locate as many quiet spaces as possible on campus, some campuses will have designated quiet rooms, but there will also be silent floors in the library etc

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Ask for clarification with assessments from your lecturers or advisors, they're there to help you! If you don't understand something in a brief, ask for it to be explained in another way, the same goes for assessment feedback

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On that note, speak to them if you have any other concerns, they can help you a lot more if they know whats going on for you

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Engage with any support ground that are available! For example, UEA has an autism support group, but also a disabled students society

Some accommodations that could be made through your universities disability team:

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Extra time in exams

•

A smaller/ your own room in exams to minimise distraction from others

•

Parking passes (like I mentioned above!)

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My uni abroad can give me preference for morning or afternoon exams, this might not be possible everywhere but it might help with sticking to a routine

•

Through the disability team, academics are required to give me more detailed feedback if I ask for it

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Support with applying to DSA

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Applying to the DSA!

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Speak to them about more specific adjustments for your course, there may be things, such as fieldwork, that require more tailored support

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions about the things that I do for myself, or the support I access abroad!

Best of luck,
Jas🙂
UEA Rep

Reply 4

The_Lonely_Goatherd

Great posts in here! Just to mention, some universities now hold uni inductions for neurodivergent students (and others, like those with anxiety, for example) before all the other students arrive on campus for Freshers' Week. It'd be worth you finding out if there's something like that so that you can familiarise yourself with the campus and enrol before things become really busy :h: