Autistic high school students’ perspectives on the feasibility and acceptability of a geospatial information science & technology program: an exploratory qualitative study

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. two authors of this publication are identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Metadata sources used for this reference

OpenAlex Crossref BibTeX
Learn more about the sources used

Pearson, J. N., Palazzo, K., Johnson, J., Bergmann, E., Lewis, J., Elias, M., & Painter, J. (2026). Autistic high school students’ perspectives on the feasibility and acceptability of a geospatial information science & technology program: an exploratory qualitative study. Frontiers in Education, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2026.1886542

Publication date: 20 Aug 2026 Added to AutiHub: 2 Oct 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) Full text OpenAlex source

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
7
Publication authors identified as autistic
2 / 7 (28.6%)
  1. Jamie N. Pearson
  2. Kayla Palazzo *
  3. Janelle Johnson *
  4. Erica Bergmann
  1. Jetta Lewis
  2. Mariam Elias
  3. Jason Painter

Abstract

In the United States, approximately one in 31 children is identified as autistic, and research indicates that autistic individuals complete bachelor’s degrees and secure employment at lower rates than their non-disabled peers. Expanding access to STEM may help address these disparities, which often emerge during the transition to adulthood. Although autistic college students often pursue STEM majors, low degree completion rates highlight the need for stronger preparation and support in these high-demand fields. Strengthening STEM preparation and support during high school may improve long-term outcomes. Therefore, this exploratory qualitative study examined GIST participants’ perspectives on the feasibility and acceptability of the Geospatial Information Science & Technology (GIST) program. Participants included 16 autistic high school students. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings identified lecture-based instruction as the primary barrier to feasibility. Participants reported positive impressions of GIST, including social interaction, supportive instructors, and real-world applications, alongside areas for improvement such as reducing lectures, increasing hands-on learning, and incorporating student interests. These findings highlight the importance of aligning STEM programs with autistic students’ attention, engagement, and self-regulation needs and offer practical guidance for designing more accessible and effective STEM learning experiences.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 2 Oct 2026 01:01.

Cited references
31
With a DOI
25
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
6
4 / 31 (12.9%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
3 / 31 (9.7%)
References with detected author names
28 / 31 (90.3%)
Without detected author names
3
Without a structured title
1
Without a stable identifier
6
References with raw author names still to review
0
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
182
From DOI or external metadata
182
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
0
61 / 182 (33.5%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 121 / 182 (66.5%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
13 / 182 (7.1%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 13 / 61 (21.3%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 12 / 170 (7.1%).
  1. Scott Freeman , Sarah L. Eddy , Miles McDonough , Michelle K. Smith , Nnadozie Okoroafor , Hannah Jordt et al. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics . Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 111(23), 8410. National Academy of Sciences.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1319030111 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2010593734
    Crossref OpenAlex
  2. Martin Agran , Michael Cavin , Michael L. Wehmeyer , Susan Palmer (2006). Participation of students with moderate to severe disabilities in the general curriculum: the effects of the self-determined learning model of instruction . Res. Pract. Pers. Sev. Disabil., 31(3), 230. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/154079690603100303 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2128315135
    Crossref OpenAlex
  3. Jill Ashburner , Sylvia A. Rodger , Jenny M. Ziviani , Elizabeth A. Hinder (2014). Optimizing participation of children with autism spectrum disorder experiencing sensory challenges: a clinical reasoning framework . Can. J. Occup. Ther., 81(1), 29. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/0008417413520440 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2108009709
    Crossref OpenAlex
  4. Paul Shattuck , Sarah Carter Narendorf , Benjamin Cooper , Paul R. Sterzing , Mary Wagner , Julie Lounds Taylor (2012). Postsecondary education and employment among youth with an autism spectrum disorder . Pediatrics, 129(6), 1042. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1542/peds.2011-2864 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2128138260
    Crossref OpenAlex
  5. Mary Baker-Ericzén , Roxanne ElShamy , Rebecca R. Kammes (2022). Current status of evidence-based practices to enhance employment outcomes for transition age youth and adults on the autism spectrum . Curr. Psychiatry Rep., 24(3), 161. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s11920-022-01327-2 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4212819872
    Crossref OpenAlex
  6. Brinkmann (2015). InterViews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing . InterViews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  7. Karrie A. Shogren , Michael L. Wehmeyer , Susan B. Palmer , Graham G. Rifenbark , Todd D. Little (2015). Relationships between self-determination and postschool outcomes for youth with disabilities . J. Spec. Educ., 48(4), 256. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/0022466913489733 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2133410661
    Crossref OpenAlex
  8. (2024). B5
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  9. Anne M. Roux , Paul Shattuck , Jessica E. Rast , Julianna A Rava , Amy Danielle Edwards , Xin Wei et al. (2015). Characteristics of two-year colleges students on the autism spectrum and their support services experiences . Autism Res. Treat., 2015, 391693. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1155/2015/391693 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2174974247
    Crossref OpenAlex
  10. Yu-Lun Chen , Kavitha Murthi , Wendy Martin , Regan Vidiksis , Ariana Riccio , Kristie Patten (2022). Experiences of students, teachers, and parents participating in an inclusive, school-based informal engineering education program . J. Autism Dev. Disord., 52(8), 3574. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05230-2 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3193714361
    Crossref OpenAlex
  11. Fiona E. J. Howe , Steven D. Stagg (2016). How sensory experiences affect adolescents with an autistic spectrum condition within the classroom . J. Autism Dev. Disord., 46(5), 1656. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2693-1 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2275573603
    Crossref OpenAlex
  12. Corbin (2014). Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory . Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  13. Brandi Lawless , Yea-Wen Chen (2019). Developing a method of critical thematic analysis for qualitative communication inquiry . Howard J. Commun., 30(1), 92. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/10646175.2018.1439423 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2793020174
    Crossref OpenAlex
  14. Hoda Ehsan , Mandy Rispoli , Catharine Lory , Emily Gregori (2018). A systematic review of STEM instruction with students with autism spectrum disorders . Rev. J. Autism Dev. Disord., 5(4), 327. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s40489-018-0142-8 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2810916533
    Crossref OpenAlex
  17. Jonte' C. Taylor , Karen L. Rizzo , Jiwon Hwang , Doris Hill (2020). A review of research on science instruction for students with autism spectrum disorder . Sch. Sci. Math. Assoc., 120(2), 116. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/ssm.12388 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3005855824
    Crossref OpenAlex
  18. Kara Hume , Jessica R. Steinbrenner , Samuel L. Odom , Kristi L. Morin , Sallie W. Nowell , Brianne Tomaszewski et al. (2021). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism: third generation review . J. Autism Dev. Disord., 51(11), 4013. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04844-2 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3118726617
    Crossref OpenAlex
  19. Dara Shifrer , Daniel Mackin Freeman (2021). Problematizing perceptions of STEM potential: differences by cognitive disability status in high school and postsecondary educational outcomes . Socius, 7, 1. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/2378023121998116 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3138251373
    Crossref OpenAlex
  20. Kayla Malone , Jamie N. Pearson , Kayla Palazzo * , Lonnie D. Manns , Amelia Q. Rivera , DeVoshia L. Mason Martin (2022). The scholarly neglect of black autistic adults in autism research . Autism Adulthood, 4(4), 271. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1089/aut.2021.0086 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4296701039
    Crossref OpenAlex
  21. Kavitha Murthi , Yu-Lun Chen , Wendy Martin , Ariana Riccio , Kristie Patten (2024). Understanding STEM outcomes for autistic middle schoolers in an interest-based, afterschool program: a qualitative study . Res. Sci. Educ., 54(4), 595. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s11165-024-10158-5 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4391356262
    Crossref OpenAlex
  22. Francisco M. Olmos-Vega , Renée E. Stalmeijer , Lara Varpio , Renate Kahlke (2023). A practical guide to reflexivity in qualitative research: AMEE guide No. 149 . Med. Teach., 45(3), 241. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/0142159x.2022.2057287 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4225944184
    Crossref OpenAlex
  23. Michael L. Wehmeyer , Karrie A. Shogren (2016). Self-determination and choice . In Handbook of Evidence-based practices in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (pp. 561). Springer International Publishing.
    Type: Book chapter DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-26583-4_21 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4247955553
    Crossref OpenAlex
  24. Gael I. Orsmond , Sharada G. Krishnan , Elizabeth G.S. Munsell , Ellen S. Cohn , Wendy J. Coster (2025). Describing outcomes in autistic young adults one year after high school graduation . J. Autism Dev. Disord., 55(2), 695. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06152-x OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4391321720
    Crossref OpenAlex
  25. Jamie N. Pearson , Erica R. Bergmann , Janelle Johnson * , Jetta Lewis , Mariam Elias , Kayla Palazzo * et al. (2025). Examining autistic students’ science, technology, engineering, and math career interest and motivation in a geospatial information science & technology program . Educ. Train. Autism. Dev. Disabil., 60(4), 380. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/21541647251400231 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4416747393
    Crossref OpenAlex
  26. Enola K. Proctor , Alicia C. Bunger , Rebecca Lengnick-Hall , Donald R. Gerke , Jared K. Martin , Rebecca J. Phillips et al. (2023). Ten years of implementation outcomes research: a scoping review . Implement. Sci., 18(1), 31. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1186/s13012-023-01286-z OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4385241407
    Crossref OpenAlex
  27. Saldaña (2021). The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers . The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers..
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  28. Kelly A. Shaw , Susan Williams , Mary E. Patrick , Miguel Valencia-Prado , Maureen S. Durkin , Ellen M. Howerton et al. (2025). Prevalence and early identification of autism Spectrum disorder among children aged 4 and 8 years — autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 16 sites, United States, 2022 . MMWR Surveill. Summ., 74(2), 1. Centers for Disease Control MMWR Office.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.ss7402a1 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4409458169
    Crossref OpenAlex
  29. (n.d.). Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics–2024 . Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics–2024.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  30. (n.d.). Employment Projects: Employment in STEM Occupations . Employment Projects: Employment in STEM Occupations.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  31. Wei (2017). High school math and science preparation and postsecondary STEM participation for students with an autism Spectrum disorder . Focus Autism Other Dev. Disabil., 32, 83.
    Type: Other DOI: 10.1177/108835761558848
    Crossref