Transitioning to University Autistic Students Guide

Introduction

Whether you're already a university student, about to start, or just thinking about it – congratulations! Getting to this point is a significant achievement, and you should feel proud of yourself.

Choosing to pursue higher education takes courage, determination, and a willingness to learn. As an autistic person, you may have faced additional challenges along the way – perhaps struggles at school, people who doubted your abilities, or had your own uncertainties about whether university was "for you." The fact that you're reading this guide shows your commitment to your goals and your belief in your potential.

You're not alone in this journey. Across Australia, thousands of autistic students are thriving at universities, contributing to research, building careers, and creating positive change in their communities. You're part of a growing movement of autistic people claiming their place in higher education.

How to use this guide

You might read this guide all at once, section by section, or just refer to each part as you need it. You can use the contents page to find sections that are relevant to you, and the summary page at the start of each section to preview the content it will include.

This guide is primarily designed to be used digitally: it includes links and interactive sections that you can engage with. You can use the navigation menu to jump between sections. You can also use your text-to-voice or screen reading software to read this guide aloud to you.

Remember, this guide is to help you with your higher education journey. You can read as much or as little of it as you like. None of the activities are compulsory, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to read or complete the entire guide at once. You can refer to this guide any time before, during, or after your studies.

Download the full versions of the Guide:

Information about this Guide

This guide is for autistic students who are new to university, currently studying and seeking extra support, thinking about returning after a break, or still deciding if university is right for them.
Your Autistic Identity at University

Explores autistic identity at university through a neurodiversity lens, covering strengths, the social model of disability, self-understanding, and finding community.
Navigating University Systems

Walks you through the key stages of university life and helps you develop strategies that play to your strengths.
Practical Strategies for Thriving

Focuses on working with your autistic brain, building meaningful connections, and creating the conditions where you can do your best work.
Additional Resources

A range of resources to support you further on your university journey as an autistic person.
History of this Guide

“Transitioning to University: Autistic Students Guide” is the culmination of the expertise and work of autistic people and disability practitioners over many years.

Downloadable resources

You can also download the entire guide or the individual interactive resources in Word (.doc) or PDF (.pdf) formats. The Word (.doc) version is optimised for screen reader accessibility. We recommend using the PDF version if you’d like to print this guide.

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