Rohrbach Library Home: Neurodiversity: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

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The National Institute of Mental Health defines Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as "a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave" (2025). ASD varies greatly for each person, which is why it is considered a spectrum as each person has differing levels for a range of needs and supports. Our understanding of ASD has also evolved over time as we gain a better understanding on its affect, which is allowing for more accurate diagnoses.

As of 2021, "it is estimated that between 0.7% and 1.9% of the undergraduate college student population might be on the autism spectrum, with or without a formal diagnosis" (Anderson, A., 2021).

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The video below, What Is the Autism Spectrum?, was created by Hank Green and uploaded to his channel called SciShow, which posts content about scientific subjects. This specific video dives into Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from a medical standpoint, providing information on the following:

History of ASD as a medical diagnosis
Evolution of defining ASD within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
How ASD is a wide spectrum
How ASD affects people differently
Controversies behind ASD

The video ends discussing our current understanding of ASD as a neurodivergence, which is allowing for better developments within our society's community to provide support for neurodiverse needs.

The following video, Facts and Myths about Autism, was created by the Centre for Education Neuroscience. The video portrays a person drawing and writing down information to discuss the following information about ASD:

What ASD is
What causes ASD
How ASD is a spectrum
Language skills of autistic people
Challenges and common behaviors of those diagnosed with ASD
Common misconceptions about ASD

The following are great books to read to better understand the history and impact of ASD.

We're Not Broken by Eric Garcia
Call Number: RC553.A88 G364 2021

ISBN: 9781328587848

Publication Date: 2021-08-03

"This book is a message from autistic people to their parents, friends, teachers, coworkers and doctors showing what life is like on the spectrum. It's also my love letter to autistic people. For too long, we have been forced to navigate a world where all the road signs are written in another language." With a reporter's eye and an insider's perspective, Eric Garcia shows what it's like to be autistic across America. Garcia began writing about autism because he was frustrated by the media's coverage of it; the myths that the disorder is caused by vaccines, the narrow portrayals of autistic people as white men working in Silicon Valley. His own life as an autistic person didn't look anything like that. He is Latino, a graduate of the University of North Carolina, and works as a journalist covering politics in Washington D.C. Garcia realized he needed to put into writing what so many autistic people have been saying for years; autism is a part of their identity, they don't need to be fixed. In We're Not Broken, Garcia uses his own life as a springboard to discuss the social and policy gaps that exist in supporting those on the spectrum. From education to healthcare, he explores how autistic people wrestle with systems that were not built with them in mind. At the same time, he shares the experiences of all types of autistic people, from those with higher support needs, to autistic people of color, to those in the LGBTQ community. In doing so, Garcia gives his community a platform to articulate their own needs, rather than having others speak for them, which has been the standard for far too long.

Eric Garcia, author of We're Not Broken, will be attending Kutztown University in April! Event details below:

April 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. (Boehm 145): We’re Not Broken author Eric M. Garcia to present on “Autism, Accommodation, and Academica: An Unrequited Love Triangle.” Followed by book signing and reception. Free to faculty, staff, and students. Register today!

Unmasking Autism by DeVon Price
ISBN: 9780593235232

Publication Date: 2022-04-05

A deep dive into the spectrum of Autistic experience and the phenomenon of masked Autism, giving individuals the tools to safely uncover their true selves while broadening society's narrow understanding of neurodiversity "A remarkable work that will stand at the forefront of the neurodiversity movement."--Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP, author of Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism For every visibly Autistic person you meet, there are countless "masked" Autistic people who pass as neurotypical. Masking is a common coping mechanism in which Autistic people hide their identifiably Autistic traits in order to fit in with societal norms, adopting a superficial personality at the expense of their mental health. This can include suppressing harmless stims, papering over communication challenges by presenting as unassuming and mild-mannered, and forcing themselves into situations that cause severe anxiety, all so they aren't seen as needy or "odd." In Unmasking Autism, Dr. Devon Price shares his personal experience with masking and blends history, social science research, prescriptions, and personal profiles to tell a story of neurodivergence that has thus far been dominated by those on the outside looking in. For Dr. Price and many others, Autism is a deep source of uniqueness and beauty. Unfortunately, living in a neurotypical world means it can also be a source of incredible alienation and pain. Most masked Autistic individuals struggle for decades before discovering who they truly are. They are also more likely to be marginalized in terms of race, gender, sexual orientation, class, and other factors, which contributes to their suffering and invisibility. Dr. Price lays the groundwork for unmasking and offers exercises that encourage self-expression, including: * Celebrating special interests * Cultivating Autistic relationships * Reframing Autistic stereotypes * And rediscovering your values It's time to honor the needs, diversity, and unique strengths of Autistic people so that they no longer have to mask--and it's time for greater public acceptance and accommodation of difference. In embracing neurodiversity, we can all reap the rewards of nonconformity and learn to live authentically, Autistic and neurotypical people alike.

Autistic Women

Historically, ASD was thought to only affect males, which created an absence in research on how it affects females. This has led to many women being misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Thankfully, this is changing as the world becomes more aware about autism. However, despite the advances made to better understand how it impacts women, they tend to still encounter challenges to receive a proper diagnosis, and they are often met with a lack of support (Craddock, 2024).

The video below is a TEDx Talk featuring Emmy Peach, an undergraduate at the University of Georgia studying psychology with an emphasis on neuroscience. She also identifies as autistic. In her talk below, Emmy explains how the misconceptions of autism led to a late diagnosis for both herself and her mother. Emmy explains how women tend to mask their traits as well as mirror those around them to fit better in society. She also urges women to embrace their autistic traits to enhance understanding and acceptance of autistic women in society.

This article below comes from Qualitative Health Research and is cited above in this section. In this article Craddock showcases several women who are identified as having ADHD and are autistic, discussing the their struggles with getting a diagnosis and interacting with the world.

Being a Woman Is 100% Significant to My Experiences of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism: Exploring the Gendered Implications of an Adulthood Combined Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis
This article provides original insight into women’s experiences of adulthood diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. Research exploring experiences of adulthood diagnoses of these conditions is emerging. Yet, there is no research about the gendered experiences of an adulthood combined ADHD and autism (AuDHD) diagnosis. This article addresses this gap through interpretative phenomenological analysis of email interviews with six late-diagnosed AuDHD women revealing the complex interplay between late diagnosis, being a woman, and combined diagnoses of ADHD and autism. It underscores how gender norms and stereotypes contribute to the oversight and dismissal of women’s neurodivergence.

KU's My Place Program

If attending Kutztown University, our Disability Services Office (DSO) offers a program called My Place Program, which is to support autistic college students academically, socially, professionally, and personally with self-advocacy skills.

The program has 3 levels:

Gold Level -- this is the entry level of the program with the expectation that students will complete 6 hours per week.
Maroon Level -- this is the next level of the program with the expectation that students will complete 3 hours per week.
Silver Level -- this is the final level, typically reserved for students nearing the end of their undergraduate level, with the expectation that students will complete 1 hour per week.

The expected hours completed is comprised from students participating in the following activities:

One-on-one check-in sessions with their coaches
Study hall sessions to complete school work
Recreational group activities
Group meals
Career-related events/conferences
Internship/job searching
Graduate school planning

National statistics have found that 38.8% of autistic college students in the United States will graduate (Anderson, A., 2021).

Resources for Autistic Students

Autism offers many strengths for college students, including:

Focus and attention to detail
A strong memory
Passionate interests
A desire to learn
Pattern thinking and visual-spatial skills
Original and creative ideas and solutions to problems
Rational decision-making

(Anderson, A., 2021) (Dunne, M., 2024)

The following are great resources to prepare and support these strengths of autistic college students.

Neurodiversity by Lawrence K. Fung (Editor)
ISBN: 9781615373024

Publication Date: 2021-05-24

Neurodiversity: From Phenomenology to Neurobiology and Enhancing Technologies is an introduction to the strengths-based model of neurodiversity (SBMN), designed to integrate and build on existing theories of positive psychology, positive psychiatry, multiple intelligences, and developmental psychology and to apply them to devise strengths-based assessments and interventions for neurodiverse individuals. This book, edited by one of the foremost experts on neurodiversity and drawing on the knowledge of a stellar group of contributors, explores social models of disability as the starting point for strengths-based approaches to neurodiversity, translating them into approaches to support, educate, and enable people with neurodifferences to function successfully in educational and work environments.From Phenomenology to Neurobiology and Enhancing Technologies aims to change our culture to one that not only embraces neurodiversity but promotes it as a necessary societal value.

Chapter 4: Strengths-Based Model of Neurodiversity and Autism
This chapter from Fung's "Neurodiversity" highlights the strengths of an autistic person, which includes their logical thinking, verbal-linguistic skills, visual-spatial skills, and others. In examining the overall strengths, the text explains how these skills are useful in academic and work settings.

Going to College with Autism by Emily Rutherford; Jennifer Butcher; Lori Hepburn
ISBN: 9781475826166

Publication Date: 2016-05-01

Many college campuses are diligently working to improve programming for students with Autism on their campuses. Increasing enrollment and demands often leave college professionals with questions about the best ways to support these students. Having a clear understanding of Autism and ways to assist those with Autism can maximize the college experience for both students and college professionals. This book provides students and professionals in higher education with information to better support individuals with Autism. The intended readership for this book includes educators and students in secondary and higher education, high school counselors, and high school transition specialists. At the end of each chapter, stories of success are shared with the reader. All of the voices shared are real-life stories from college students with Autism, providing readers with a rare and unique perspective of what it is like to be a college student with Autism.
Getting the Best Out of College for Students on the Autism Spectrum by Kate Ripley; Rebecca Murphy
ISBN: 9781787753297

Publication Date: 2020-03-19

This interactive workbook provides guidance for your entire journey through college and further education. Full of handy tips and strategies to help you through college, it guides you through early hurdles such as preparing for a new sensory environment, planning your transport and making friends. Chapters also cover life in college, so you'll know how to properly manage your time studying and socializing, how to get a grip on social media and have the confidence to tackle exams head on! The book includes 100 pages of interactive elements, which develop decision-making, reflection and strategy-building skills, and you can work through it all with an older adult for help. It works alongside the companion guide for further education staff, Helping Students on the Autism Spectrum Get the Best Out of College.

Navigatin College: A Handbook on Self Advocacy
Written for autistic student by autistic adults
Published by Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
https://autisticadvocacy.org/