Abstract
Autistic college students report that they experience difficulties in executive functioning (EF) and social interactions, which can impact their academic success and postcollege outcomes. Few programs exist that focus on both cognitive and social strategies, especially those developed with autistic partners. This study presents a community pilot of a curriculum designed to fill this gap: College SUCCESS. Autistic college students (N = 21) enrolled in College SUCCESS at their university/college through disability services. College SUCCESS is a 26-week group-based curriculum that autistic partners codeveloped; the first half focuses on EF, and the second half focuses on social cognition and communication, all within the context of succeeding at college. Thirteen students completed the curriculum. Students filled out questionnaires and completed task-based assessments before and after the program. Parents and group instructors also filled out questionnaires. Several areas of self-reported EF showed significant improvements from pre- to post-SUCCESS. Self-reported social communication and motivation also increased after the program. Students additionally demonstrated significant changes in social interaction in the context of role-play scenarios. Overall, students and their parents rated the program highly and commented that it had a positive impact. College SUCCESS represents one of the first programs for autistic college students that targets both cognitive and social cognitive skills and community partners codeveloped it. The curriculum could lead to better postsecondary and employment outcomes for autistic individuals. Researchers need more studies, particularly with larger samples, to understand how the College SUCCESS curriculum impacts autistic college students’ long-term functioning and life outcomes.
Community Brief
Why was this program developed?
Many autistic adults are interested in attending college and obtaining a degree. Research shows that obtaining a college degree can lead to more employment opportunities. Unfortunately, many autistic college students experience challenges in college related to executive functioning and social interactions that can make it hard for them to feel successful in college.
What does the program do?
The autistic community and allies (autistic adults, parents/caregivers, educators, providers, and administrators) developed a curriculum, College SUCCESS (stands for Supported, Comprehensive Cognitive Enhancement, and Social Skills), and tested it to see if it works. College SUCCESS teaches autistic students information about how to use their thinking skills and social skills to do well in their college classes and to build social relationships at school.
How did the researchers evaluate the new program?
The researchers collaborated with the autistic/autism community to create the College SUCCESS program and delivered it at four college campuses. The researchers gathered information from autistic students, their parents/caregivers, and the teachers to understand if the new program was helpful. Researchers measured whether the program was helpful to students by collecting information from questionnaires and by rating performed skills. Students and caregivers also gave their opinions about whether they liked the program and named specific things they liked and areas that need improvement.
What were the early findings?
The study showed that the College SUCCESS program helped autistic college students. Students reported improvements in both their thinking and social abilities after participating in College SUCCESS. Students and others also reported liking the program. Students shared examples of how the program helped them in their lives at school and other places. Parents shared examples of changes they saw in their college students.
What do these findings add to what was already known?
The study provided information about this new program, designed specifically for autistic college students, to help them with thinking and social skills and showed that this program can be helpful. It also showed that colleges can offer it to students and provided information that colleges could use if they would like to offer a course similar to College SUCCESS.
What were the weaknesses of this project?
This study gathered information from some autistic students and needs to gather information from many more in the future to know if the program works for most autistic students. Students who did not complete the program shared that they stopped participating in the College SUCCESS because they did not have time since the class did not provide units for graduation. In the future, the College SUCCESS program should be offered as a college class and not just a group at disability services.
What are the next steps?
Future research should test College SUCCESS with more autistic students and compare it with other types of supports to understand if it helps autistic students. Students should be involved in deciding the types of meaningful outcomes so that research is measuring person-centered types of goals.
How will this work help autistic adults now or in the future?
The College SUCCESS program taught executive functioning and social skills that appeared to be relevant and important to autistic students to use while at college. These skills are often considered valuable soft skills to use throughout life. Using input from the autistic community to develop and research the program provides a better fit to autistic students’ needs.
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