Autism Spectrum and Online College

Online colleges can offer a flexible alternative to traditional college settings, accommodating the diverse learning needs and capabilities of students on the autism spectrum. Many autistic students with low support needs go on to great success in college and in their careers.

However, the traditional, on-campus college experience can present a number of challenges unique to those on the spectrum. For individuals who struggle with attributes such as sensitivity to sensory stimuli, social anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, the traditional college atmosphere can create unneeded learning obstacles.

Online college provides a viable alternative to the traditional college experience, one that allows students to earn an online degree in virtually any field from a familiar and controlled environment. With advancements in legislation for students with disabilities, the learning accommodations and resources available to online college students are greater and more advanced than ever.

The following article identifies various accommodations that can provide students with the best online college experience possible.

While students cannot transfer their IEP or 504 plan to college, they are entitled to disability accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

These accommodations aren’t limited to on-campus students. Most accredited online colleges also provide a full selection of accommodations and benefits in accordance with the law, including:

For students to gain access to any accommodation, the first stop must be your college’s disability resource center. Unlike schooling prior to college, a student must register with this office in order to identify your condition and work with counselors to lock the proper learning accommodations into place. Disability resource centers can also connect you with support communities and networks, scholarships and grants, and counselors who can act as advocates for your rights as a student.

Additional time is a commonly issued accommodation for students both online and on-campus. Everyone learns differently, and everyone tests differently, too. While the time limit on an exam may be a non-issue for some, the resulting pressure and testing conditions may pose a real problem for some on the autism spectrum. Depending on how you learn and process information, a given time limit may prevent an exam from accurately measuring your understanding of a subject.

Fortunately, additional time for exams is a common accommodation, which many professors are happy to provide once you’ve made an official request through the disability resource center at your college or university.

Some professors may give you all course materials and a complete schedule of exams and assignments at the beginning of the semester. However, not all professors do this. If you feel you need or could benefit from advanced notice or access to materials, many professors are fine to offer this, provided you have a documented request and that doing so does not fundamentally alter the curriculum.

Because of differences in how some students on the autism spectrum learn and process information, some assignment formats may not be ideal for demonstrating subject comprehension. Class presentations, for example, can be especially problematic if you are prone to sensory overload or social anxiety. Alternative completion options are often available. Just be sure to discuss these options with your professor early on in the semester.

Adjusting to the demands and workload of full-time college enrollment can be an anxiety-filled experience. Fortunately, many colleges offer free counseling services for students that address a wide array of concerns and issues. If your college does not offer its own counseling services, they may offer partnered services through an external counseling office.

Online library services are a great resource for students who prefer the comfort and control of working and researching remotely. Here, you can set up an online chat or video call with a research librarian who can guide you through the archives and databases.

If you need to access a book that is in the library, you can request digital document delivery and have it scanned and sent to you as a PDF (which can be very useful when combined with text-to-speech software). If your library doesn’t have what you need, you can request an inter-library loan, which can give you access to books all over the world from your own home.

Everyone needs help sometimes; it’s okay to ask for it. Online colleges offer online tutoring services in a wide range of subjects, as well as writing assistance. If you need help studying or developing a plan, or if you’re not feeling confident in your writing skills, online tutoring services can help you through chat or video conference options.

Your college isn’t the only place you should look for assistance. There are numerous national groups dedicated to making sure your needs are met, and your rights are respected. Below are a few.

Whether you are a caretaker, parent, or teacher of a student on the autism spectrum, advocacy can make a world of difference in your student’s outcomes and achievement, especially if they have trouble advocating for themselves. Below are a few resources that can help, no matter the situation.