ERIC Number: EJ1172785
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
College Students Who Have ASD: Factors Related to First Year Performance
Shmulsky, Solvegi; Gobbo, Ken; Donahue, Andy T.; Banerjee, Manju
Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, v30 n4 p375-384 2017
College attendance is increasing for students who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet a dearth of literature exists about their progress in postsecondary education. This study describes a group of college students who have the formal diagnosis of an ASD to uncover factors related to their academic performance. Twenty-three first-year college students who have the diagnosis of ASD were tracked for two contiguous semesters to determine if anxiety and executive function are related to end-of-year grade point average (GPA). A significant positive correlation between the BRIEF-A composite index of behavioral regulation and GPA was found. Study participants reported no or mild levels of anxiety, and six reported clinically significant ADHD symptoms. Twenty-two of 23 members of the study remained enrolled for full two semesters, suggesting a successful transition to college. Implications for postsecondary services are discussed.
Descriptors: College Freshmen, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Academic Achievement, Anxiety, Executive Function, Grade Point Average, Longitudinal Studies, Correlation, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Student Adjustment, Metacognition, Student Behavior, Student Records, Measures (Individuals), Student Surveys, Questionnaires, Regression (Statistics), Adults, Intelligence Tests, Statistical Analysis
Association on Higher Education and Disability. 107 Commerce Center Drive Suite 204, Huntersville, NC 28078. Tel: 704-947-7779; Fax: 704-948-7779; e-mail: ahead@ahead.org; Web site: http://www.ahead.org/publications/jped
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Beck Anxiety Inventory; Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A