Supporting student learning and development through trauma-informed campuses

'It's a symbolic violence': Autistic people's experiences of discrimination at universities in Australia

LAY ABSTRACT

Autistic students experience many challenges at university. One significant barrier identified in past research was autistic students' experiences of discrimination (i.e. being treat differently) and stigma (being judged differently). Our research team included both autistic and non-autistic researchers who designed a project to help explore autistic students' experiences of stigma and discrimination at Australian universities. We interviewed 21 autistic students who went to a university - some had completed qualifications, and some had not. From our interviews, we identified four themes: (1) 'My disability is something that people just don't have a clue about', (2) 'the system is really stacked against you', (3) the onus is on autistic students, and (4) 'grit and stubbornness'. As a result, we recommended changes in the way courses are written and taught so that autistic people have opportunities that meet their ways of learning. It is also important for university staff to understand the impact of trauma experienced by autistic people and that universities work together with autistic people to design courses and supports that include autistic ways of learning, accessible university processes and identify support needs.