“Whose Liability Is It Anyway?” Cultivating an Inclusive College Climate for Autistic LGBTQ Students

Abstract

With one in 59 children diagnosed with autism, higher education institutions are experiencing increasing enrollments of autistic students. Furthermore, autistic students are disproportionately more likely to identify as gay and lesbian in their sexual orientation and as transgender or genderqueer in their gender identity compared with nondisabled peers. This case study challenges readers to consider the role that educational leaders can play in addressing the complexities of supporting a student named Erik, a gay, autistic student who is considering “coming out.” Readers are also challenged to consider implications about addressing campus climate issues for students with multiple, intersecting identities.