The Autistic Postgraduate Woman: Navigating the Neurotypical University

Description

Going to university can be an exciting but challenging experience for any student, but it can be especially stressful for autistic students who may find traditional educational approaches and environments inaccessible. The jump to postgraduate study then presents even further challenges with increasing pressure and new experiences and expectations to navigate.

Written by an autistic autism researcher, this book considers the unseen challenges of being an autistic woman in postgraduate education. Despite strong numbers of autistic students attending higher education, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) drives within academia to increase the number of disabled graduates undertaking further study, autistic postgraduate students are defined as having poorer outcomes than autistic people without degrees. Bringing together a holistic view of current research with personal and collated lived experience, the author offers an in-depth exploration of how autistic women navigate the academic landscape with important insights for educators, policymakers, advocates and anyone looking to foster a more accessible and inclusive educational system.