Intellectually capable but socially excluded? A review of the literature and research on students with autism in further education

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Chown, N. & Beavan, N. (2011). Intellectually capable but socially excluded? A review of the literature and research on students with autism in further education. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 36(4), 477-493. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877x.2011.643771

Publication date: 15 Dec 2011 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
2
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 2 (50.0%)
  1. Nicholas Chown *
  2. Nick Beavan

Abstract

As autism is a social learning disability it is a disadvantage in any social setting such as a classroom. The 1990s saw a surge of young people diagnosed with autism who are now approaching college age; indeed there is evidence that students with autism are becoming a significant cohort in further education. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that such students are often the subject of substantial barriers due to a general lack of awareness and understanding of autism, and its educational implications. We report here the results of our review – for the Dudley College – of literature and research relating to autism in further education. After setting the scene, we highlight key research findings and guidance from the literature on how to break down barriers.

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Bibliography inclusion overview

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 11:30.

Cited references
41
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
0 / 41 (0.0%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
0 / 57 (0.0%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 0 / 7 (0.0%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 0 / 55 (0.0%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
7 / 57 (12.3%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 6 / 55 (10.9%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
7 / 7 (100.0%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 7 / 57 (12.3%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 6 / 6 (100.0%).
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