title: Characteristics of Two-Year College Students on the Autism Spectrum and Their Support Services Experiences.
abstract: Approximately 80% of college-going youth with autism in the US attend a 2-year college at some point. These community-based, universally accessible institutions offer both academic and vocational courses and have experience in teaching diverse learners. This study used nationally representative survey data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 to describe the characteristics and services experiences of adults with autism who attended postsecondary education after high school, focusing on those who attended a 2-year college. Over 60% of those who attended 2-year colleges had little to no trouble conversing or performing functional skills like counting change during high school, and extracurricular participation was common (93.8%). Most 2-year college attenders (85.7%) were able to navigate to places outside the home versus 43.9% of those with no postsecondary education. Over half took vocational courses at 2-year colleges, while one-quarter pursued academic study. 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.
authors.affiliation: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3734, USA.
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Roux
authors.affiliation: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3734, USA.
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Shattuck
authors.affiliation: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3734, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rast
authors.affiliation: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3734, USA.
authors.forename: Julianna A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rava
authors.affiliation: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3734, USA.
authors.forename: Amy D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, BS 162, Menlo Park, CA 94025-3493, USA.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, BS 162, Menlo Park, CA 94025-3493, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCracken
authors.affiliation: SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, BS 162, Menlo Park, CA 94025-3493, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Yu