University With Autism

I'm an undergraduate who was diagnosed early this year and graduating next summer. By law your university will have to make reasonable adjustments for you, depending on your autistic needs. You should contact your university's disability advisory service; they'll have professionals who will discuss with you what adjustments you need (e.g. your own room during an exam).

Other than that, you have little to worry about within university. From my experience in a large central London uni, there are lots of autistic people in academia, both staff and students. It's one of the places in which we congregate, though this will depend on the size and academic standing of your uni. People are always happy to hear each other talk about their obsessions and having these obsessions will help you land undergraduate research fellowships and other opportunities. Modules are highly specific and as you progress through your degree you'll meet people who tend to take the same modules as you and will hopefully have little trouble befriending them. Although there are different personalities people are mostly non-judgemental, and they're often more understanding if you make your needs known. Even if they're not autistic, they tend to be comfortable with autistic traits because our traits often become the expected behaviour of academic life. Communication is easier than in the outside NT-dominated world; tutors like e-mails that are short, direct and clear (and of course polite). When you turn up for office hours you can dive straight into the specific questions you have without small talk without it being awkward. Tutors are seldom loose with time. Meaning exactly what you say when it comes to time is often appreciated; tutors often dislike people turning up to an appointment early as much as they dislike them being late. Clubs and societies are specialised and interest-based, so no problems there for us. You don't have to attend the socials if you don't want to, though I normally don't mind attending them since I have interesting team-mates with whom I can hold a conversation. So overall, in terms of academic life and socialising with people from uni, autism isn't a detriment and is arguably advantageous.

The problems start when you try engaging in social life with people outside uni, like church or volunteer groups, which you might be enticed to join as they advertise often for students to join them. I've had interpersonal disasters in such places and you'll get judged for your esoteric interests and conversation difficulties that aren't a problem within uni walls. I'd say if you find that you really can't handle the social minefield in such groups, don't feel bad about not being able to volunteer. There are many ways to help others without volunteering. People will make you feel bad but if you push yourself into it knowing it'll cause breakdowns it can make things worse. If you want to join a church or other such organisation outside uni, make sure you have an advocate in the same organisation who can explain things or stand up for you when you find yourself unfairly treated or misunderstood.

I'm an undergraduate who was diagnosed early this year and graduating next summer. By law your university will have to make reasonable adjustments for you, depending on your autistic needs. You should contact your university's disability advisory service; they'll have professionals who will discuss with you what adjustments you need (e.g. your own room during an exam).

Other than that, you have little to worry about within university. From my experience in a large central London uni, there are lots of autistic people in academia, both staff and students. It's one of the places in which we congregate, though this will depend on the size and academic standing of your uni. People are always happy to hear each other talk about their obsessions and having these obsessions will help you land undergraduate research fellowships and other opportunities. Modules are highly specific and as you progress through your degree you'll meet people who tend to take the same modules as you and will hopefully have little trouble befriending them. Although there are different personalities people are mostly non-judgemental, and they're often more understanding if you make your needs known. Even if they're not autistic, they tend to be comfortable with autistic traits because our traits often become the expected behaviour of academic life. Communication is easier than in the outside NT-dominated world; tutors like e-mails that are short, direct and clear (and of course polite). When you turn up for office hours you can dive straight into the specific questions you have without small talk without it being awkward. Tutors are seldom loose with time. Meaning exactly what you say when it comes to time is often appreciated; tutors often dislike people turning up to an appointment early as much as they dislike them being late. Clubs and societies are specialised and interest-based, so no problems there for us. You don't have to attend the socials if you don't want to, though I normally don't mind attending them since I have interesting team-mates with whom I can hold a conversation. So overall, in terms of academic life and socialising with people from uni, autism isn't a detriment and is arguably advantageous.

The problems start when you try engaging in social life with people outside uni, like church or volunteer groups, which you might be enticed to join as they advertise often for students to join them. I've had interpersonal disasters in such places and you'll get judged for your esoteric interests and conversation difficulties that aren't a problem within uni walls. I'd say if you find that you really can't handle the social minefield in such groups, don't feel bad about not being able to volunteer. There are many ways to help others without volunteering. People will make you feel bad but if you push yourself into it knowing it'll cause breakdowns it can make things worse. If you want to join a church or other such organisation outside uni, make sure you have an advocate in the same organisation who can explain things or stand up for you when you find yourself unfairly treated or misunderstood.