Looking for guidance

Try to get to see the halls and the arrangements there before he starts, not just a "typical room". Universities vary in how they address hall accommodation with regard to disability, and often its a one-year contract - difficult to get out of or get a change of rooms if things don't work out.

Find out where his rooms are regarding noise. Well meaning universities sometimes put disabled student near facilities, which also means potentially nearer noise, like the students union. Some have slightly muddled notions of putting disabled students with maturer students or overseas students, rather than with their own peers. Also whether the room looks outwards or onto a quadrangle (where noise from competing stereo systems might be a problem - some students like to show-off their wattage by opening the windows and letting everyone know their musical tastes - bit like in car stereo - lot of showing off).

Check also how the halls operate. Some provide rooms in flats of four, six, eight students, sharing a kitchen, toilets, communal space. What other students will he find himself with in that case? Others have a corridor system of many rooms and more reliance on central catering, or just a communal kitchen that's oversubscribed. Corridor based halls are more anonymous, in that he doesn't have to mix with a set group, as in a flat, but its easier to get isolated in his room, and harder to make friends if less communal space.

Check what support there is, While universities are getting the hang of supporting people on the spectrum on the teaching side, not all are as switched into social support, should he need help.

It is one area you can usually check on. Teaching because of confidentiality is usually an agreement between the university and the student, and it can be difficult therefore for parents to find out about their son or daughter's academic process. It is a good idea to check what the university's policy is on this. Student services may be able to consult you but teaching staff may not be allowed to do so without signed authorisation by a departmental head.

Try to get to see the halls and the arrangements there before he starts, not just a "typical room". Universities vary in how they address hall accommodation with regard to disability, and often its a one-year contract - difficult to get out of or get a change of rooms if things don't work out.

Find out where his rooms are regarding noise. Well meaning universities sometimes put disabled student near facilities, which also means potentially nearer noise, like the students union. Some have slightly muddled notions of putting disabled students with maturer students or overseas students, rather than with their own peers. Also whether the room looks outwards or onto a quadrangle (where noise from competing stereo systems might be a problem - some students like to show-off their wattage by opening the windows and letting everyone know their musical tastes - bit like in car stereo - lot of showing off).

Check also how the halls operate. Some provide rooms in flats of four, six, eight students, sharing a kitchen, toilets, communal space. What other students will he find himself with in that case? Others have a corridor system of many rooms and more reliance on central catering, or just a communal kitchen that's oversubscribed. Corridor based halls are more anonymous, in that he doesn't have to mix with a set group, as in a flat, but its easier to get isolated in his room, and harder to make friends if less communal space.

Check what support there is, While universities are getting the hang of supporting people on the spectrum on the teaching side, not all are as switched into social support, should he need help.

It is one area you can usually check on. Teaching because of confidentiality is usually an agreement between the university and the student, and it can be difficult therefore for parents to find out about their son or daughter's academic process. It is a good idea to check what the university's policy is on this. Student services may be able to consult you but teaching staff may not be allowed to do so without signed authorisation by a departmental head.