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Autism at University

NAS95971

My daughter just started at university and she's finding anxiety is crippling. She has an autism diagnosis. Now she is finding she is too anxious to go out of her room, and is really struggling. What advice do others have about this scenario?

She was adamant she wanted to try somewhere else away from home, and didn't take a year out either. I'm torn about what to do for the best, and worried about her mental health. 

Parents

  • I’ve recently graduated from university and massively struggled with not leaving my room because of my autism and severe social anxiety. i only lived in student accommodation for a year and half but i was regularly going home as often as i could. i would recommend that your daughter has lots of snacks and easily prepared meals or food that she can keep in her room, as well as drinks such as water. then if she can’t go into the kitchen or leave her room then she has everything she needs. in regards to classes, i strongly suggest contacting the disability and wellbeing team and make them aware of her autism and anxiety, i found that they were really helpful at my university and helped me to get assessment and exam extensions and help. they can also communicate on your behalf to lecturers to maybe arrange doing work in her room so she doesn’t have to attend the lecture or seminar. obviously this can vary from course but i imagine they still offer the same support. if you need anything else or any advice im happy to help especially since i’ve experienced this first hand :)

  • in reply to Ems

    just to add, make sure that she knows it’s perfectly normal to not really make any friends or to not get involved in any fresher activities. it can feel so isolating and shameful especially when everyone else is going out all night etc. but it is honestly better to be comfortable and not push yourself to do things you know you won’t enjoy, just because everyone else is. i found it so much better to just use freshers week to get comfortable in my flat room and decorate to make it feel homely. 

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  • in reply to Ems

    just to add, make sure that she knows it’s perfectly normal to not really make any friends or to not get involved in any fresher activities. it can feel so isolating and shameful especially when everyone else is going out all night etc. but it is honestly better to be comfortable and not push yourself to do things you know you won’t enjoy, just because everyone else is. i found it so much better to just use freshers week to get comfortable in my flat room and decorate to make it feel homely. 

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