University application

There is a bit on the UCAS form where you disclose disabilities. To prevent discrimination, this info is only passed on to the university once they have made you an offer, but if you want to bring it up in your personal statement or interview that's up to you. Once you have offers I would say it's definitely worth contacting the uni and also applying for DSA and pushing for help/ adjustments. Some universities have whole websites for autistic students (e.g. Sheffield.autism-uni) but you have to really go looking, I've yet to come across a university that makes it obvious what support is available. As beepee1984 says, the OU is pretty good and you can just buy a place on their courses without going through UCAS. I've done 5 OU modules and 4 UCAS applications so I suck at actually going to uni but I definitely know my way around the application process! Hope that helps. Good luck. 

Thanks for the advice

The university's job is to help you achieve success - why on earth wouldn't you disclose to them?     The have whole departments to help disabled students get through the course - they can award extra time in exams, be flexible on your dates etc.

You also need to properly identify your needs and then apply for DSA funding for any special equipment or hours for mentoring or transport costs etc.      There is SOOOOO much available to help you - if you just ask.      They will bend over backwards to help you.

The sooner you get the ball rolling, the better your chances of having everthing in place when you start uni - it all takes time to get processed so I think you need to get busy right now.

I do not think you need to disclose your diagnosis at the application stage. I did not know I was autistic on both occasions I went to university and both times I was unable to cope, had I of known maybe I could have made adjustments.

Once at Uni, you don't need to tell other people, but I would tell the Uni and then you can use their Student services. I don't know what you will need, but I'm currently at Open University (So I do most at home) and they seat me by the door and the invigilators know about me so if I need to get up and leave to calm myself down,  I can without penalty or giving notice as long as I don't look at my phone or books and remain in sight of an invigilator so they know I'm not cheating. This helps me. You can be awarded extra time in exams, you can be given a support student, not be asked questions in front of other... but my advice is you need to know what you want/need and tell them and see if they can provide it.