NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
ERIC Number: ED665765
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 395
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-7282-2313-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
"I Found My Place": Unraveling Autistic Community College Students' Experiences in a College Autism Transition Program
Brett Ranon Nachman
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, The University of Wisconsin - Madison
The emergence of college autism transition programs, aimed to support students' needs and leverage their strengths, is illuminating the rise of autistic students in academia. Raising acceptance of autistic college students, and truly understanding their experiences in navigating higher education, has been minimally addressed. Even more, few empirical studies have examined a community college autism transition program, lest been authored by an autistic individual. This qualitative case study unpacks how autistic community college students enrolled in a college autism transition program navigate higher education. The project began with a systematic literature review of autism in higher education that informed the study's theory (Neurodiversity), varied participant groups, (e.g., autistic students, college administrators) and methods (e.g., interviews, written reflections). The findings offer context on the priorities and issues facing the college at the heart of this study before explaining the specific autism program's evolution. Shedding light on each of the 13 autistic college student participants' life journeys via vignettes enables understanding of their successes and struggles en route to college. Findings are then presented to showcase how autistic students: process their identities; traverse through college (including handling academics and weighing parental involvement); navigate the autism program; handle their health and emotions; and figure out the future. The discussion demonstrates how the findings contextualize, challenge, and extend current understandings of Neurodiversity Theory. Implications for policy and practice are targeted to offer tangible and accessible measures for educators, program staff, and institutional leaders in serving autistic community college students, whereas implications for researchers and directions for future research lend clarity on how to enhance scholarship. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A