Going to university...

The university you want to attend should provide an opportunity for you and your parents to meet disability support staff either during open days or by arrangement, in the spring prior to summer break. You can also arrange that one of the tutors in your subject area be present (as a lecturer, retired, supporting disabled students, I used to attend these, so I know).

This is a useful opportunity to explore any issues, but it is evident that some universities parrot "no problem, no problem" without thinking it through. You need to get realistic information at one of these sessions. If the university staff take it seriously you should get a lot of good background information, but your parents need to be prepared to press for more details if the university is too casual about it.

You can also ask to see typical teaching rooms, both lecture theatres and seminar rooms, laboratories etc. This is likely to be when they are not in use, and a crowded lecture theatre feels different from an empty one.

If you decide to consider staying away from home you can get a look at hall of residence accommodation, but beware of "show" rooms - explain your needs and ask to see a typical room. Are they claustrophobic, can you hear other people (and their music systems through the walls, are they en suite and well ventillated, or if shared facilities what are they like? Some "halls" are now flats of half a dozen sharing communal space; traditional "halls" are individual rooms on longish corridors, which can be impersonal. But don't rule out living away from home if it gets a better course and university. 

If you are going to the local university check out public transport, navigability of the campus (is it easy and a short walk to find places), are there quiet spaces (few universities seem to understand what a quiet place means), eating arrangements (a crowded echoing hall with piped music and everybody talking at once, and hardly room to move between tables can be a nightmare)? Are there quieter options for somewhere to eat?  Check toilets - some universities seem quite naiive about distance from classrooms and adequacy of facilities - if it is cramped when busy for example.

If you contact the disability support team they should be willing to take you around a campus to see what to expect, well in advance of registering as a student.

University is often liberating if you are on the spectrum. You go to lectures and seminars to participate, then move on, but you aren't going to be trapped in a classroom or corridor like at school where teachers expect it. Also different subjects involve different people so you aren't stuck with the same peer group every lesson. You have more free time (whether you use it for study or leisure) between lectures (although you can find yourself with most of your lectures on just two days).

You are more likely to have the option of several groups of fellow students rather than just one, and  there is the space to be with people or on your own, as and whichever you prefer.

The university you want to attend should provide an opportunity for you and your parents to meet disability support staff either during open days or by arrangement, in the spring prior to summer break. You can also arrange that one of the tutors in your subject area be present (as a lecturer, retired, supporting disabled students, I used to attend these, so I know).

This is a useful opportunity to explore any issues, but it is evident that some universities parrot "no problem, no problem" without thinking it through. You need to get realistic information at one of these sessions. If the university staff take it seriously you should get a lot of good background information, but your parents need to be prepared to press for more details if the university is too casual about it.

You can also ask to see typical teaching rooms, both lecture theatres and seminar rooms, laboratories etc. This is likely to be when they are not in use, and a crowded lecture theatre feels different from an empty one.

If you decide to consider staying away from home you can get a look at hall of residence accommodation, but beware of "show" rooms - explain your needs and ask to see a typical room. Are they claustrophobic, can you hear other people (and their music systems through the walls, are they en suite and well ventillated, or if shared facilities what are they like? Some "halls" are now flats of half a dozen sharing communal space; traditional "halls" are individual rooms on longish corridors, which can be impersonal. But don't rule out living away from home if it gets a better course and university. 

If you are going to the local university check out public transport, navigability of the campus (is it easy and a short walk to find places), are there quiet spaces (few universities seem to understand what a quiet place means), eating arrangements (a crowded echoing hall with piped music and everybody talking at once, and hardly room to move between tables can be a nightmare)? Are there quieter options for somewhere to eat?  Check toilets - some universities seem quite naiive about distance from classrooms and adequacy of facilities - if it is cramped when busy for example.

If you contact the disability support team they should be willing to take you around a campus to see what to expect, well in advance of registering as a student.

University is often liberating if you are on the spectrum. You go to lectures and seminars to participate, then move on, but you aren't going to be trapped in a classroom or corridor like at school where teachers expect it. Also different subjects involve different people so you aren't stuck with the same peer group every lesson. You have more free time (whether you use it for study or leisure) between lectures (although you can find yourself with most of your lectures on just two days).

You are more likely to have the option of several groups of fellow students rather than just one, and  there is the space to be with people or on your own, as and whichever you prefer.