Postsecondary Educational Experiences of Autistic Young Adults: A Longitudinal Follow-Up to a School-Based Study

Abstract

This longitudinal follow-up study of 129 autistic young adults and their parents in three U.S. states was designed to (a) investigate autistic young adults’ postsecondary education experiences, (b) learn if the experiences align with their interests and if they are satisfied with them, (c) explore the educational supports and disability services they are they provided in the educational settings, and (d) analyze high school factors predicting participation in postsecondary education. Results indicated that the postsecondary education landscape is encouraging as the majority of young adults had engaged in some postsecondary education. In general, courses and programs were satisfactory and aligned with young adult interests, and a wide variety of primarily academic supports were provided to students. Key high school predictors of postsecondary education outcomes were (a) more time in general education classes, (b) greater language, social communication, and literacy skills, and (c) effective classroom engagement skills.