Presence of autism spectrum disorders in university students: Implications for education and HCI

Abstract

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in 2014 estimates a prevalence rate of 1 in 68 for persons with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is five times as prevalent in boys than girls and crosses all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups [1]. Therefore, there is a critical need for the HCI community to better understand the educational and informational needs for persons with ASD. This research identifies persons with ASD in higher education using a recognized autism diagnostic tool and correlates that data to their gender, major field of study, and their indicated preferences with regard to course content, content delivery preferences, and evaluation strategies. The significance of this information applies both to students in HCI who are on the autism spectrum and to university educators with regard to the design of educational materials and courses suitable for both students with and without ASD to achieve academic success.