College is a whirlwind for any student, but for an autistic individual, it’s far more complex. Navigating social interactions and deciphering unspoken rules adds another layer of difficulty. As an autistic student, I’ve learned a great deal about myself and the importance of advocating for my needs during my time at DSC.
An important thing to note before I go into more detail: autism is a spectrum. My experience may be similar or different to others with autism.
College life is an entirely new experience with countless challenges, but as an autistic individual, some challenges can feel magnified. Alongside deciphering social cues, I also struggle with asking for help or speaking up in class due to worrying about drawing attention to myself. This can make it particularly difficult to approach a professor for assistance.
Managing sensory overload is a crucial part of my life. Crowded spaces, loud noises and bright lights are all triggers. College has all of these. This can lead to anxiety, difficulty focusing and meltdowns. To counter this, I must have strategies in place to regulate myself. For me, what works best is music and breathing exercises.
Finally, managing my stimming adds another layer of complexity. For those unfamiliar, stimming is repetitive body movement or noises such as rocking back and forth while sitting, hand flapping and random noises that help regulate emotions. Stimming can sometimes be seen as annoying or distracting by others. This is one reason I have accommodations to take exams in a separate testing room.
Photo by Ava Traill
The accessibility office is where an individual goes each semester to obtain accommodations. Accommodation counselor Lisa Wise stated that all accommodations are individualized for each student. Each semester, the student receives a letter of accommodation from the associability services office for their classes. “Our staff do not disclose the student’s disability, that is something the student can share if they wish,” said Ms. Wise. The letter identifies options such as extra time for assignments, a separate testing room, double time for testing, and, if necessary, an interactive meeting.
The interactive meeting allows an accessibility counselor to communicate with the instructor to determine how best to meet the student’s needs. While I have yet to require this, I am grateful that the accommodation office offers the option for students. This provides a smooth line of communication and helps professors understand how to support students with specific needs.
Ms. Wise encourages all students to develop self-advocacy skills because the more comfortable a student is in advocating for their learning, the better their success will be. I agree that self-advocating can be challenging to learn, but it makes a giant difference in the help you receive.
As Autism Awareness Month is here, it’s important to remember that every autistic experience is unique. By fostering understanding, you can make a more inclusive learning environment for autistic students like me by being patient. An important thing to note is you cannot always tell if someone is autistic. In fact, there are many people who have yet to receive their diagnosis. We are just ordinary people, so if you do meet an autistic individual, treat them as you would anyone else.