Starting university can be a daunting experience for any student, especially if it includes moving away from home for the first time. Now a new book aims to help make life that bit easier for Autistic young people as they embark on their academic adventure.
In University: The Autistic Guide, Swansea University’s Dr Harriet Axbey covers everything from applying, packing and financial admin to mental health support, dealing with burnout and even simple recipes.
Subtitled Everything You Need to Survive and Thrive, she says the book has been written to be a helpful, informative and friendly guide to a life in higher education for students, parents, carers and educators.
Dr Axbey, who is a research assistant on the Autism from Menstruation to Menopause project within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, said: “As an Autistic person myself, I found the transition to university exciting but scary, and I could have done with a book like this myself. I now have nine years of university degrees under my belt, and feel able to offer advice to others, as student, carer, and educator!
“I was president of a postgraduate common room at Durham University, and often helped with freshers' weeks. I saw what would be helpful to know before starting university - things like plastic chopping boards don't go in the oven and no metal in the microwave – as well as what it feels like to be a parent or carer to say goodbye to them for the first time!”
Although the book is primarily for Autistic people aged between 15 and 18 who are planning to go to university, it also covers mature students and there are chapters for parents/carers and educators too. To prepare, Dr Axbey approached nearly 100 UK universities to find out what they currently offer Autistic students.
Some of the key pieces of advice she suggests include:
- Asking if your chosen University will let you move in a few days early to allow you to settle gradually;
- Preparing yourself for university both physically and mentally, such as getting vaccinated and educating yourself about consent;
- Parents can help by teaching their young people about things like cooking and healthy relationships; and
- Taking would-be students on trips to universities early on during their time in sixth form.
The book also contains recipes as well as useful checklists about what to pack, the signs of burnout, and even the symptoms of meningitis to watch out for.
University: The Autistic Guid Everything You Need to Survive and Thrive Is published by Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd and is available to order now
Read more about Autism research at Swansea University