A guide to our research focus and impact at the University of Bristol
Using research to support autistic students at university
The transition to university can be a difficult time for students with autism. At the University of Bristol we’re invested in collaborative research, to learn and better understand the challenges that students face so that we can continue to improve help and support.
Use the links below to learn more
Autistic students are at higher risk of drop out from higher education, with graduation rates approximately half those of non-autistic students. Evidence suggests that these differences are due to challenges with university life. Many autistic students experience issues with:
Organisational skills
Timetabling, planning, independent study
University environment
Sensory and physical spaces
Mental health
Anxiety and depression
Social life
Making friends, interacting with others
To understand and address these challenges, we work closely with autistic students to identify research areas they feel would have the biggest positive impact on their university experience, or life as an autistic young person. Our recent research has focussed on the following areas:
Understanding the mental health of autistic students at the University of Bristol
Masking or camouflaging autistic traits
Support options available to autistic young people
Training university staff to better support autistic students
Our research findings have identified the areas that autistic students value. Along with University of Bristol support staff we are working to improve understanding of these and gather the evidence needed to lead to positive change. These impacts include:
Counselling staff have had autism training
Sensory room available for autistic students to improve university space
Informing university-wide policies around mental health support for autistic students
Identifying improvements for availability and inclusion in UK university policies for autism support
We are working towards creating a university environment where autistic students can be their authentic selves. We hope that our findings will apply beyond autistic students to autistic people at all stages of life.
We’re committed to:
Producing a standardised framework of support for universities to provide to autistic students to equalise their experiences
Evaluating and improving support options for autistic people
Reducing stigma and giving autistic students the tools to thrive
Helpful resources
To learn more about autism research at the University of Bristol, or to find out where you can get extra help and support for autistic young people, we’ve compiled a list of helpful information and resources.
Where to go for information and support
To learn more about our research and how you can get involved, get in touch.
for students and families
Where to go for information and support
If you are an autistic student looking for support at Bristol, the Disability Services team are here to help.
You can also find additional advice and help by visiting the Students’ Union website.
To learn more about the experiences and support available for students at the University of Bristol:
A summary of past and ongoing autism research projects at the university – please get in touch with the researchers if you would like to get involved.
for university staff
Where to go for information and support
If you would like to learn more about masking and its impact on mental health:
To learn about the current experiences of autistic students at Bristol:
Briefing of policy impacts of autism research.
Learn more about Neurodiversity and Digital Accessibility at the University of Bristol.
