ABSTRACT
Many well-qualified students with autism struggle in the university classroom. Many autistic students have difficulty navigating situations in which there is little apparent structure. The college environment can be bewildering for any student, but it can be especially problematic for autistic students. Classroom instruction can also be very different. High school classes may be more highly structured, with teachers leading most of the instructional activities. Social communication is often integral to academic success in the college classroom. For many autistic students, mental health issues can significantly impact their academic performance. Extreme anxiety and fear of failure can result in failure to turn in assignments and poor outcomes on assessments. Sensory sensitivity differences can impact the ability to pay attention due to distractions caused by smells, sounds, lighting, or what are perceived as uncomfortable temperatures.
