Supporting autistic university students and their transition into employment 

The number of autistic students entering university has risen over the past decade but drop-out rates remain high, particularly in the first months. Autistic students are also the least likely among disabled groups to secure graduate jobs. This case study highlights efforts led by Dr. Marc Fabri to support these students during transitions into university and the workplace, securing £650k in EU funding for two multinational projects:

Autism&Uni: Transition into University
Autism&Uni addresses non-academic barriers like adapting to new environments, misconceptions about autism, and high anxiety levels. Collaborating with partners across Europe, Fabri developed resources to improve retention by:

1. Raising autism awareness among staff and offering actionable advice.
2. Helping autistic students prepare for university and advocate for themselves.

Best Practice Guides, co-designed with students and professionals, have been downloaded 16,000 times in nine languages, improving retention and raising awareness among university staff. An online toolkit, used by students at 19 universities (with 30 more trialling it), helps students acclimate, understand support options, and self-advocate. Surveys confirm the toolkit’s positive impact on student success, and it has been endorsed by AsIAm, Ireland's autism charity, as part of their autism-friendly university accreditation.

IMAGE: Transition into Employment
Autistic graduates face low employment rates despite comparable grades. Challenges include interpreting job descriptions, biased recruitment, inadequate careers advice and employer fears about providing inadequate support. Fabri worked with European partners to improve employability by:

1. Training career advisors, academics, and employers to better support autistic graduates.
2. Providing students with tools and knowledge to navigate employment transitions.

Good Practice Guides and training materials, available in five languages, have been downloaded 1,000 times, improving support services and inclusive recruitment. A co-designed online toolkit helps students with career planning, job applications, and workplace integration. It includes guides, activities, and case studies, boosting employment chances and empowering graduates to request accommodations.