title: The need to support students with autism at university.
abstract: Publicity surrounds the increased prevalence of autism. However, in contrast to support in primary and secondary schools, there exists little focus on supporting students with autism at university. Mental health nurses are well placed to facilitate support programmes for students with autism who have the capacity for higher education. This article examines the international literature around the support needs for these students and discusses opportunities that exist to support these students, their families, and higher education staff. Research is urgently needed to evaluate the success of such interventions, particularly in light of the low participation rates in study and work for people with autism.
authors.affiliation: Southern Cross University, School of Health and Human Sciences, Lismore, Australia.
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cashin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004519:Education, Special; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008282:Mainstreaming, Education; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010379:Peer Group; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012933:Social Identification; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult