Date of Award

Spring 4-24-2020

Document Type

Thesis (699 registration)

Degree Name

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology


Graduate Studies

Committee Chair

Kris Vossler


autism, higher education, ASD, college, college success


The purpose of this study was to determine factors that influence the success in college for students with autism. To meet this purpose, four upperclassmen college students with ASD were recruited for semi-structured interviews on their college experience. The interviews were transcribed and coded which led to the uncovering of three categories and three themes. The data from this study suggest that success in college for students with autism is influenced by an integration of multiple factors working together which include personal, macro educational, and micro educational. Many general themes uncovered in this study were mirrored by the current literature (e.g. interpersonal relationships, accommodations, etc.) while some themes that were prominent in the literature were not found to be salient in the present study (e.g. transition, self-advocacy, etc.)