ERIC Number: EJ1408362
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: EISSN-1940-3208
Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Autistic College Students: A Survey of University and College Counseling Center Clinicians
Tara Chandrasekhar; Qin Hu
Journal of American College Health, v72 n1 p40-46 2024
Objective: University and college counseling centers (UCCCs) are a front-line support for the mental health needs of autistic students, though little is known about clinician attitudes, comfort level, and training in autism. Participants: 89 UCCC clinicians were recruited via email listservs. Methods: The authors developed a survey which assessed attitudes, comfort level, and training in autism. Results: The majority of clinicians (82.0%, n=73) had interacted with autistic students in the past year, and reported high levels of comfort with treating anxiety and depression. However, a smaller number reported confidence in their ability to diagnose autism. Training on autism emerged as an important deficit, as 31.5% of the clinicians denied receiving training either in their educational program or the UCCC. Conclusions: In this pilot study, clinicians reported a discrepancy between self-reported levels of comfort with autistic college students and past training, highlighting continuing education as an important area for future intervention.
Descriptors: Student Needs, Students with Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mental Health, College Students, Guidance Centers, School Counselors, Self Efficacy, Anxiety, Depression (Psychology), Disability Identification, Clinical Diagnosis, Training, Counselor Attitudes, Experience
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A