ERIC Number: ED577274
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 29
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Characteristics of Two-Year College Students on the Autism Spectrum and Their Support Services Experiences
Roux, Anne M.; Shattuck, Paul T.; Rast, Jessica E.; Rava, Julianna A.; Edwards, Amy D.; Wei, Xin; McCracken, Mary; Yu, Jennifer W.
Grantee Submission
Approximately 80% of youth on the autism spectrum in the U.S. who attend college will attend a 2-year college at some point in their postsecondary education. These community-based colleges are universally-accessible educational institutions which offer both academic and vocational courses and are experienced in teaching diverse learners who may require developmental academic support. This study used nationally-representative survey data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 to describe the characteristics and services experiences of young adults on the autism spectrum who attended postsecondary education within eight years after high school, focusing on those who attended a 2-year college only. Significantly more (61.5%) who attended 2-year colleges had little to no trouble conversing or performing functional skills like counting change (64.6%) compared to 36.6% and 36.8%, respectively, of those who had no postsecondary education. Significantly more (85.7%) 2-year college attenders were able to navigate to places outside the home, while 43.9% of those with no postsecondary education were able to navigate. High school extracurricular participation was common (93.8%) among 2-year college attenders compared to 74.4% of youth who attended vocational/technical education and 58.5% of those who had no postsecondary education. Over half took vocational courses at 2-year colleges, while one-quarter pursued academic study. Half attended full-time. Less than half (48.6%) of those who disclosed their disability to the school reported receiving services, accommodations, or other help. Most (87.3%) felt they received enough help, but fewer (68.0%) felt the services they received were useful. Future research should delineate specific needs of students with autism in 2-year college settings and identify what supports are needed to improve persistence and completion rates as well as rates of transition into 4-year college programs. [This article was published in "Autism Research and Treatment" v2015 article ID 39169 p1-10 2015.]
Descriptors: Community Colleges, Two Year College Students, Student Characteristics, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Academic Support Services, Student Personnel Services, Disabilities, Special Education, Transitional Programs, Longitudinal Studies, Outcomes of Education, Daily Living Skills, Navigation, Extracurricular Activities, Prior Learning, Vocational Education, Full Time Students, Part Time Students, Self Disclosure (Individuals), Academic Accommodations (Disabilities), Young Adults, Focus Groups, Comparative Analysis, Data Analysis
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED); National Science Foundation (NSF); National Institute of Mental Health (DHHS/NIH); US Department of Health and Human Services
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: National Longitudinal Transition Study of Special Education Students
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R324A120012; HRD1130088; R01MH086489; UA6MC27364
Author Affiliations: N/A