Supporting autistic students in Further and Higher Education

1. Supporting autistic students in Further and Higher Education Annie Watson Network Advisor Autism Network Scotland

2. Autism Network Scotland: • A hub of impartial and reliable information about autism • Signposts individuals on the autistic spectrum, their families and carers & practitioners to local services • Facilitates networks to support knowledge exchange & promote awareness of autism • Facilitates independent consultation and/or networking for local authorities • Supports the Scottish Strategy for Autism

3. What are some of the barriers • to learning for students on • the autism spectrum?

4. Transitions • Into College/University • Through College/University • Out of College/University • Horizontal vs Vertical transitions • E.g. During one day: different lecturers, different teaching styles, different activities, different rooms

5. Unstructured time • Lack of routine • Reliance on self management of time • Unclear where to go • E.g. during breaks, where to buy lunch • Unclear support structures • Lack of named person/contact to go to

6. Social environment • Peer pressure • Emphasis on group work • Disclosure of diagnosis • Anxiety • Practical – transport to and from College/University

7. How can we overcome some • of these barriers?

8. What is good practice for students on the autism spectrum will often benefit all: • Clear communication • Clear structures and procedures • Planning and support through times of change • Proactive offering of support

9. Support through transitions • Some Universities/Colleges have dedicated Transitions programmes for new autistic students • Provide detailed information • Prepare for changes • Buddy/mentoring systems

10. Support to structure free study time • Timetables, reminders, apps • Support to develop own routine • Needs assessment prior to starting • As well as academic needs, consider time management and planning support, and any support needed with sensory sensitivities

11. Be proactive in offering support • Ensure channels to access support are clear and open • Even if they do not want to engage initially • Disability Advisor, Student Counselling, Advice on accommodation, benefits • Regular reviews • Make sure they know where there is a quiet space they can access

12. Link up with local autism support services • Opportunities for the student to access support or social activities • Advice on autism-specific issues • Autism training/information for staff • All staff should know where to look for information or training on supporting autistic students • e.g. info on staff website/portal

13. More information • Autism and Uniproject Autism and Uni • Good practice guides: Autism and Uni/Best Practice • Autism Network Scotland event on Transitions in FE/HE – slides available • National Autistic Society website • The National Autistic Society/Education Professionals (for professionals) • The National Autistic Society/Further and Higher Education (for students)

14. More information • Scottish Transitions Forum – Scottish Transitions Forum • Principles of Good Transitions 2 • PoGT3 with Autism supplement due Autumn 2016 • NHS Education for Scotland Autism Training Framework • The Knowledge Network/Autism Spectrum Disorder • Scottish Strategy for Autism • The Scottish Strategy for Autism • Working Group 2 on Transitions

15. Autism Network Scotland • 0141 444 8146 • annie.watson@strath.ac.uk