ERIC Number: ED555770
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 210
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-3034-6422-5
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Perspectives of College Students with Asperger's Syndrome
Cullen, Jennifer A.
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Widener University
This study examined the perspectives of college students with Asperger's syndrome (AS) concerning their primary social needs, and their experiences of how those social needs are met at the higher education level. Individuals with AS who were enrolled in or had completed at least one semester of an undergraduate program, or graduated from a college or university with a Bachelor's degree within the last five years were included in the study. Students were asked about their perspectives of their social needs, and their overall social experiences of higher education settings. The study was a qualitative analysis implementing a naturalistic inquiry method. Data were collected in three formats consisting of online questionnaires, individual interviews, and focus groups. Responses were triangulated using three collection methods to increase credibility of the findings. Responses were analyzed using the NVivo 9© qualitative data analysis software both as a tool to analyze emergent themes and to sort those themes into categories. Results indicated the emergence of five data clusters each with emergent minor themes. These five data clusters consisted of descriptions of Overall College Experience, Social Experience, Needs Related to College, Services, and finally factors that influenced College Choice. The results of the study provide an overview of the college experience of students with AS as well as recommendations for services to accommodate their needs. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Asperger Syndrome, Student Attitudes, Student Needs, Student Experience, College Graduates, Undergraduate Students, Social Experience, Higher Education, Qualitative Research, Questionnaires, Interviews, Focus Groups
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A