Support Systems for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Anderson, A., Cox, B. E., Edelstein, J., & Andring, A. W. (2019). Support Systems for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. College Student Affairs Journal, 37(1), 14-27. https://doi.org/10.1353/csj.2019.0001

Publication date: 1 Jan 2019 Added to AutiHub: 8 Aug 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
4
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 4 (25.0%)
  1. Amelia Anderson
  2. Bradley E. Cox *
  3. Jeffrey Edelstein
  4. Abigail Wolz Andring

Abstract

This study was an exploration into how college students with autism spectrum disorder identify and use support systems during the transition to higher education. In particular, this study explored how these students described their experiences within an online environment among their peers. The study used unobtrusive qualitative methods to collect and analyze data on online forum discussion posts from college students with autism spectrum disorder. Results indicated that students found their support systems in various ways. Many report using services provided by their Office of Disability Services, but students must be aware that these services exist first, and often must have a diagnosis to receive such supports. This study makes suggestions for higher education institutions to identify and promote their support services, both those that are accessible through Offices of Disability Services, and those that are available without diagnosis or disclosure.

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These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:31.

Cited references
35
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
2 / 35 (5.7%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
2 / 89 (2.2%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 2 / 21 (9.5%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 2 / 89 (2.2%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
21 / 89 (23.6%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 21 / 89 (23.6%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
19 / 21 (90.5%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 19 / 89 (21.3%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 19 / 21 (90.5%).
1 cited bibliography entry could not be fully enriched from DOI metadata.
Crossref: not found (1)
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