ERIC Number: EJ1476477
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2381-473X
Available Date: 0000-00-00
STARTing Over: Creating an Inclusive Social Communication Course for First-Year Autistic College Students
Vanessa Harwood; Lisa Macaruso; Gabriela Zuccolo; Alexa Tabile; Nina Schiarizzi-Tobin; Katharine Musella
Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, v10 n3 p869-884 2025
Purpose: An increasing number of autistic students are pursuing higher education to enhance career opportunities, achieve personal growth, and increase independence. Nonetheless, many encounter difficulties in transitioning to and thriving in this environment, despite the support offered by universities. Here, we review the preliminary data from a social communication course embedded within a university-level postsecondary transition program designed to support academic success and retention for first-year autistic college students. Method: Using a group pretest, posttest design, we employ quantitative evaluations and retention data of 17 autistic students enrolled within the Summer Transition Program for Autism to Promote Retention and Training (START) program to determine the effectiveness of a social communication course for autistic first-year college students. Results: Autistic students enrolled in the social communication course demonstrated a significant reduction in self-reported Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors as measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale--Second Edition at posttest and increased communicative competence in "Meetings" on the Self-Perceived Commutative Competence scale. Sixteen out of 17 START students successfully completed the full academic year and expressed intent to return to the university the following year (retention rate = 94%). Conclusion: The current study provides preliminary evidence that a social communication course may be an effective method to support social communication and well-being of first-year autistic students enrolled in university.
Descriptors: Students with Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, College Freshmen, Inclusion, Interpersonal Communication, Social Development, Success, Academic Persistence, Transitional Programs, Summer Programs, Program Effectiveness, Communication Skills, Well Being, Group Activities, Mentors, Computer Mediated Communication, Executive Function
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 800-638-8255; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: perspectives@asha.org; https://perspectives.pubs.asha.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Social Responsiveness Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A