Every year, tens of thousands of high school students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders seek to attend college and build a foundation for career and life success. While many may believe students with autism are granted the same individualized care they were afforded in secondary school, it's a common misconception. The federal government ensures that students with disabilities are assessed and assisted with individualized education plans (IEPs) to help them toward graduation. Still, the protections end after they earn a high school diploma.

Do Many Students with Autism Go to College?

Many students diagnosed with autism choose not to disclose their disorder, which is a prerequisite to receiving educational and environmental accommodations at colleges and universities. Therefore, there isn't an exact figure on what percentage of the nation's college student population is diagnosed with autism. Although campus autism programs are increasing by the year, only around 100 colleges and universities house programs, most of which are in four-year institutions. Moreover, roughly 25 percent of states don't have a higher education program with the resources to oblige students with autism.

Some estimates assert that over 150,000 students with autism are enrolled in higher education programs. While the uptick in enrollees with autism is a sign that schools are adjusting to accommodate students better, there are still many instances of unfair treatment.

Students with Autism Face Challenges Enrolling and Remaining in College

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports about a student with autism enrolled at Western Kentucky University (WKU) battling adversity in their academic journey. After a family emergency during their first bout at WKU, the student succumbed to overwhelming emotions and couldn't maintain standing. However, the fact that the student made it to college in the first place sets them apart from the majority of people with autism, who enroll at rates well below most of their peers with other types of disabilities.

A neurodevelopmental disorder like autism can be characterized by impaired social interactions, communication inconsistencies, and unconventional repetitive behaviors. While individuals with autism may have heightened or suppressed sensory systems presenting difficulties functioning in normalized student environments, autism manifests in highly individualized conditions. IEPs in primary and secondary schools help students with autism overcome their challenges, but higher education is a different story.

Myths and misconceptions persist. Some college autism programs offer faculty, staff, and student groups training to combat prevailing stigmas, but in higher education, students with autism must advocate for themselves.

How Can Students with Autism Get Help with Advocacy

Since IEPs don't progress with a disabled student to college, and parents, administrators, and special education personnel aren't present to assist them with their needs, students with autism have more say in their education. However, this causes them to hurdle additional obstacles while working hard on their degree.

Fortunately, student defense attorney advisor Joseph D. Lento has years of experience fighting for students' rights as an advocate against stringent academic and behavioral guidelines governing college and university campuses. Attorney Lento and his team at the Lento Law Firm understand how tough the transition to college can be for students diagnosed with autism and work with them to get the accommodations they need to succeed. If you're a student diagnosed with autism or a concerned parent, call 888-535-3686 today or visit the confidential online consultation form for assistance.