Autistic at university

I wanted to talk about my experiences as an undiagnosed autistic at university. The aspects I found difficult, and how I feel about it now in reflection.
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A little bit about me:
Hi I'm Purple Ella and my family is an autism family with three out of five of us on the autistic spectrum. I also have a connective tissue disorder (hypermobile Ehlers-danlos syndrome). So life can be a challenge but also a lot of fun.
Helpful links
The National Autistic Society - autism.org.uk
Hypermobility Syndromes Association - hypermobility.org

[@lalaillustrator6295]

Thank you for this video! I’m a student at university now, in some ways I’m coping better than at school because the subject I’m taking is a special interest, so I’m passionate about working and I get good grades. But I’m struggling so much with excutive functioning. A lot of my friends have retail jobs on top of studying and I know I couldn’t cope with that at all. Remembering to eat is already a challenge. I’m trying to make friends, as I feel super lonely. I manage to somewhat but I feel like they keep disappearing, I keep making the same mistake which doesn’t let me stay friends with people longer and I don’t know what it is.. But I know I’m becoming so much more independent and capable and that feels very good.

[@tiiaj7589]

Lala Illustrator I am trying to believe that I’m not necessarily making mistakes with the friend thing. It may be that NTs just don’t BE friends in the way we think they do. Maybe the way they act isn’t always because they stopped liking me. Maybe they were actually just very busy or dealing with their own stress or something.

[@lalaillustrator6295]

​@@tiiaj7589 I get what you mean a lot, maybe I should start thinking about it that way too. My strongest bonds are with autistic people, and I only manage to stay friends with NT if our interactions respond to a context that doesn't change (eg. friends you only see at the same place for the same reason every time). I keep thinking that I'm too naive, too peculiar and I get disappointed but maybe it's just that I'm expecting a neurotipical person to connect in a way an autistic person would.

[@CharmednReady03]

Hi, I am a MSc student at Keele uni. I saw your comment and I was wondering if you would be interested in taking part in my research project. I am doing interviews exploring support at uni for autistic students and ways in which universities can be more understanding and supportive towards disabled students. If you would be interested in sharing your experiences (anonymously) let me know and I can send you more information! :)

[@Bekkibailey]

I also went through university for the most part, whilst undiagnosed, I was finally diagnosed with ASD a month before my final exam. Talk about a rollercoaster!

[@brandiago]

I can so identify. At uni right now.

[@CharmednReady03]

Hope uni is going well for you! I’m a student too, I’m at Keele. I am looking for participants for my dissertation study on support for ASC at university. Would you be interested in sharing your experiences as an autistic student at uni during an interview for my study? No problem if not! If you do think that you might like to take part, let me know and I can send you some more information :)

[@mariesynnoeve7383]

Im at university now and I relate a lot to your experience! I am diagnosed with Asperger’s, and I do get support. That really helps.

[@jolandadejong9050]

Hi, I was wondering if you would want to tell me what kind of support you get?

[@marcelusdarcy]

I'm 22 and want to go to university this year or next year, I haven't been able to because I had a mental breakdown in school because of undiagnosed autism, and have only just started to recover. Problem is I have no idea what I want to do, don't know how to work that out, and I have no confidence anymore. If I can't even deal with school level, how am I supposed to do university level? I did manage to do college, just barely, but I put it down to being on auto-pilot and in survival mode after the mental breakdown. This actually helped me a lot with executive functioning, it basically disappeared

[@yanielperez1322]

Thank you for sharing this information. It brought me tears of sadness because I went through the same experiences in Uni I don’t know what was going on with me. I thought that I was broken.

[@dijackson6203]

You just lit up when you talked about your lovely friend!! 😍

[@PeteS_1994]

I like how you speak with conviction.

[@kathybramley5609]

Yes. University - learning experience, very mixed experience. Very different. I got a C in general studies, a D, an E, an N - got into and failed uni: but my friends, found mostly through, in my case, Methsoc - a church student society connected to the local Methodist church which also came with a whole range of families and academics who wanted to support pastorally at least - which was indeed really important. Felt like a whole new world, socially. And being able to cook by myself but being entirely responsible for myself, for choosing my food, and away from the memories of cooking disasters and upsetting people, that was a positive thing. I managed - cooked a lot of vegetable stews - though I did lose a lot of weight in the first term. I was anxious about money. spending money.

[@benzodiazepinequeen]

Great video. Lots of things you talk about sound also ADHD. It is so common to have traits of both neuropsychiatric types! I myself am both. Maybe you could invite a guest who has both diagnoses? Or maybe someoene with ADHD?

[@PurpleElla]

That’s a great idea. I’m actually waiting for an assessment for ADHD myself also. It’s a long wait here though 😳

[@arnoldtabor3767]

I've got pretty decent executive functioning, my main problem is digesting information and being able to regurgitate it ... as I need to understand it all to be able to do it ... like my mind if i don't understand somthing doesn't want to touch it

[@FindingYourSerenity]

I wasn’t diagnosed but I didn’t go to university because I didn’t want to live in a flat with other people or go through making new friends and having to participate in classes.

[@livsephton9]

I was diagnosed with asd when I was 16 and I've just started my 2nd year of university and so far it's going well for me because I'm studying a subject that I'm interested in amd my grades are good compared to when I was in school, only problem is I lack organisational skills and motivation and I'm a big procrastinator

[@CharmednReady03]

Hi, I am a MSc student at Keele university and I am looking for other students who would like to take part in my research project about support for ASC at uni. If you’re interested and would like to take part, let me know! Participants will be interviewed online by me (Charlotte) and I will ask questions about ways uni tried to support you, what could have been better and what advice you would give to other autistic students. If you would like to share your experiences (you will be kept anonymous) I can send you some more information, it not, no problem! Best wishes :)

[@PhoebeK]

Hi, I really relate to what you say about friends, I am doing a lot better at my PHD than I did as an undergraduate as I have formed a friendship group which accept me (but PHD students tend to be more accepting and are allowed to go on about or favorite subject all the time). I got a 2.2 as an undergraduate too but that has not stopped me succeeding academically once I found the right mentor. And this time I have got more appropriate support for my known problems (I am still on the waiting list for a ASD assessment). I am glad you had supportive lectures as an undergraduate. Being on the edge of the academic profession now I can say good tutors and lecturers still support students and there is a efficient referral system for students to get help from student services for any reason including help with getting diagnoses if needed.

[@dogsofcorn]

I'm planning to start uni in 2025. A lot of the stuff you say you struggled with is stuff I expect for myself as well. Hopefully I'll be able to get some support from the university if I get diagnosed soon enough! edit: just found out the uni offers support for undiagnosed people if their GP agrees that it's likely they have autism!!

[@TheLambSauce659]

Hi there. I am autistic, and this was a great insight to university. Thanks

[@artisticafflair408]

My 'coping strategy' with group projects made me feel awful, I tried the did what was asked mf me thing and it didn't work. They totally dismissed me and told me my work wasn't like theirs so it wasn't going to work, then I made suggestions like maybe I could do that, and they said no some one else is doing that , then they had the fucking audacity to be passive aggressive toward me saying some people are doing more work then others.... I flipped my autism really showed up and I said something to someone that I was thinking and in the heat of my upset angry moment said it aloud then I was more judged and exposed then ever... I also have the most un co-operative un helpful ignorant teachers. The teachers at the Uni of Derby I can tell you right now Ella you missed out on nothing in terms of academic support. I am very upset with them, they know I am autistic too and have a wide range of other mental health support needs which are not being understood. You were probably better off with where you were.

[@CharmednReady03]

I’m so sorry you had negative experiences and the teachers were not understanding! Would you be interested in sharing your experience in an interview for my dissertation? I am a student at Keele and I am looking for other students who would like to talk about their experiences of support for ASC at university and what the university could have done differently. Let me know if you would like to take part and I can send you some more information. If not, no problem at all :)

[@softwaremaverick]

I'm 45 and about to go through an assessment but this reminded me of what I went through at university in 1995 to 1998. I struggled to get stuff done and also tended to be last minute. I hated days when I had to be there for 9am lectures because if I did turn up I was tired. I struggled with lectures in general as they generally went in one ear and out of the other, as such I'm quite sure I stopped going to most of them. I was doing an IT course where I loved doing practical stuff because it was fun whereas written stuff was boring so went to the bottom of my pile. A lot of the time I'd end up playing games on the computer or watching videos to take my mind off the essays I was expected to write. I remember feeling like I was paralysed by anxiety but at the time I didn't really know that it was something more specific to me and therefore I didn't seek help about it. I just thought it's me not working hard enough or simply doing things all wrong. I was in the halls of residence for three years and what I found worked well was my flatmates inviting me out with them for a night out as it allowed me to be somewhere I wasn't comfortable to be in but with people who I trusted. I also found that my knowledge of computing brought people to me to talk to me so that meant I didn't have to randomly go up to others to meet new people. I definitely think it was a good experience and I'm glad that it ended the way it did as in whilst I didn't get a degree but I still had the credits from it which I many years later converted into a first class honours..

[@maisieliberty1319]

Thank you so much for making this video. I am going to start university this year!

[@CharmednReady03]

@Maisie Liberty, hope uni is going well for you! I am looking for autistic students who would like to share their experiences of support at uni for my MSc research project. If that is something which sounds interesting to you, let me know and I can send you some more information :)

[@AwesomeHyperSonic547]

I'm told alot that it's super rare for autistic people to go to university. So disheartening, it shouldn't be that way. 😔😔 I'm a 2nd year student myself, and its been rough, but it's rewarding to know that I'll have the qualifications to do the job I have always wanted to do. 😊

[@CharmednReady03]

Hi, I am a MSc student at Keele uni and my dissertation is looking at how universities can better support their autistic students so that everyone has a good experience and achieves their academic goals. Would you be interested in taking part in my project? If you would like to, it would be a short interview with questions about your uni experience and what support you have received or what the uni could have done differently. You’ll be kept anonymous in my report. Don’t worry if you don’t fancy it! But if you are interested let me know and I can send you some details :)

[@FoxyRoxyReviews]

From a lot of accounts, mixed exam performance is in line with spiky attitude of spectrum experience. I have in the past need to be creative to reach my goals. Because of mine and other individuals on the spectrum, I don’t make any assumptions on educational achievement. Mainstream education needs to updated to support different learning styles and critical thinking at younger ages in my view.

[@alexpoulpe979]

Be it in secondary school, college or university, I always either had a 3 or a 1st, never a mark in between, because my work was extremely impacted by my interest in the subject or in the teacher (I've had several teachers and professors I considered as mentors and stayed in contact with many many years after). As a result I had average results since my grades compensated each other. Teachers were not always impressed, as they knew I could be much better. But being autistic and undiagnosed, my mind and behaviour were just an absolute mess. It was only when doing my Master's degrees that I finally could shine, since almost every subjects covered were interesting to me (and thus had only excellent grades). Writing my essays and thesis however, that remained a big challenge despite my good knowledge and research method, because of poor executive functioning and too literal/unimaginative thinking. I managed to always get a low 1st, but again was told I could achieve so much more. If only I knew how....... Now I'm finally diagnosed, maybe I'll finally manage to do my PhD, and not fail at it either. 😕

[@the_real_andresjorgeortiz]

Thank you for sharing this information! It really helps a lot. Also, I have my first diagnosed with autism at age 3. It was before I started preschool. Back in kindergarten, it was my first time being in a military move. I had to leave my hometown because of my dad's job in the armed forces. He supposed to retire from the military next year. However, my dad will be doing another military job for another 2 years. He will retire for 22 years of his military career. My dad has been serving the military for 19 years. That was why I had to PCS schools from state to state for another 2 to 3 years during my experiences in grade school. Back in high school, I have been to school everywhere from state to state for another year. I have been a military child for 19 years. My dad is technically my stepdad, but I always see him as my real dad because I grew up with him. He is the man who raised me as a child. I will always be his first baby because I grew up with him. That's all it matters. I have been to 6 different elementary schools, 2 different middle schools, 4 different high schools, and 3 different 2-year colleges. I have to been PCS everywhere from age 5 to 21. I have been to three different states for 3 years, Virginia for 7 months, and Puerto Rico for a year. Also, I have been living in two other different states for 2 years. For right now, I am living in Florida. I am living in East Orlando area for 3 years. I will be living here in Florida forever. I am from Puerto Rico because of my mom. I am half Colombian because of my stepdad, which I always see him as my real dad. I am originally from the city of Buffalo in New York. I lived there in my early childhood until age 5. Hopefully, I am working on my AA degree from a 2-year college. Again, thank you for sharing about your background in dancing. Really appreciate it. Hopefully, I will be graduating with my AA degree in this coming fall semester. If not, I will be earning my AA degree in this coming spring semester. Hopefully, I get to take my placement test for Spanish language again in August. If not, I will be taking Spanish courses. I speak Spanish and English. I learned both languages at the same time, but mostly in English as a kid because in school only taught English in the states. Also, I am working on my second book which is called My Life Throughout with Autism and Being a Military Child. It might have the same content but different chapters. My dream career is to be an actor, singer, and journalist on television. If the music does not work out, I will be working as an actor and journalist on television at the same time. For my backup plan, I will be working at the clothing store and playing DJ with famous singers. After I complete with my AA degree in the spring, I will be acting courses to get some training from a 2-year college. Once I receive my training in acting in the summer, I will be earning my BA degree in journalism or communication from a 4-year college next year in the fall of 2023. Hope everything is well with you! Also, you did a great job with your college experience and what needs to be improved which is great! I have been taking eye levels when I was in my early childhood as well. I might say somewhere after I got my diagnosed with my autism. I really enjoy your video. It is amazing! I graduated from high school in 6 years ago. I am 24 years old. My name is Andres by the way. It is pleasure to meet you! God bless you and your family. :)

[@oliviaslatter4625]

I am going to university in September:- I got diagnosed at 21, this is not as late as some people. I am nervous about friendships ect. But I’m more out going sometimes when I’m with the right people. I’m really excited but anxious!

[@CharmednReady03]

I hope university is going well for you! If you would be interested in sharing your experiences at university as an autistic student, specifically about how support you have received has impacted your time, let me know! I am a student at Keele and my MSc dissertation is about trying to explore how universities can be more understanding and better support their students :)

[@oliviaslatter4625]

@@CharmednReady03 please message me if you would like xx I would be more then happy to help x

[@michaelmoss9198]

That’s ok I have autism and I’m at my last year of school

[@alanguest1979]

I went to the University of Northumbria to study Human Organisations (a blend of sociology and psychology), graduating in June 2000. Thinking back now, there are some memories that hindsight could had revealed my autism then instead of being diagnosed in November 2020. If I was diagnosed then, I would have had a better time, gained a better degree, and probably came out with better idea of what I wanted to do and knowledge of where to find it!

[@TheAnimeGirl0401]

I'm going back to uni in a week or so... i'm almost 28 so i'm way older then the first time I went to. And I have been struggling so much, i can't sleep, i'm having digestive issues, general anxiety, chronic pain is kicking harder...

[@folieablue]

I'm in year 11 and I'm falling really bad because of my school not accommodating any of my learning disabilities but I'm doing a foundation course this year instead of focusing on school so i can go to uni next year. The only big issue is i would be on the other side of the country at 17 and my main executive function issue is remembering food and hygene so I'm hoping being in an 8 room apartment will help because i can maybe have meals at the same time as someone else

[@PhoebeK]

May, Even at school you are entitled to reasonable adjustments under the equalities act and your school have a legal duty to provide that support. Once you get to uni especially as a minor you will be able to access a lot of support, if you have any recognized diagnoses get your DSA sorted out as soon as possible, the disability department of whichever uni you are going too can help you with this they do so all the time, they will also arrange for reassessment of things like dyslexia which need an assessment post 16 to count. I know the coming year will be especially hard with at least some of the course will be online but calendar reminder and scheduling functions can really help. Also look out to see if the uni you go to has a student buddy scheam where you are linked up with a more experienced student who can help you develop you skills.

[@CharmednReady03]

I’m sorry that your school were not accommodating and did not support you. I hope you have had a better experience at university! If you would like to share your experiences of support in education as an autistic student, let me know! I am at Keele university and I’m looking for participants to be interviews for my dissertation about support for ASC at university.

girl you need to be a reporter

[@xtimin]

I am trying to study university for 10 years and looks like I have still 3 more years to graduate. It's really difficult for me. I have been diagnosed with ASD 2 weeks ago at the age of 28 and my doctor said that I need special ed. Unfortunately my country doesn't support autism at universities. I hope nobody gets diagnosed too late like me.

[@thebuilder5271]

Late but I’m starting college in a few weeks so thank you for the information. I got a (half??) diagnosis and am working on getting accommodations. Most of my classes are related to my special interest of art so maybe it won’t be too hard? Edit: oh and I also have a few friends from highschool going to the same university!

[@Zebo262]

This is an awesome video, thank you 💙 Also, you got through your dance degree with a tutu (^_^)

[@rosiegiesler4705]

Sadly being diagnosed vs undiagnosed makes no blind bit of difference. Here’s why because the disability sectors at university are not individual to all disabilities. So I spent most of my time at uni getting rest breaks, extra time or readers if I needed one. But non of these are really that helpful for autism for dyslexia yeah but not autism or ADHD. DSA is good but having someone only once a week as you can imagine overall doesn’t make that much difference

[@miskamysa4323]

Is that a time turner?

[@krugerfuchs]

Just gat a place at university

[@InfiniteNarwhal]

I read the title as Autistic cat university XD I don't know why

[@PurpleElla]

I would definitely attend autistic cat university!

[@purplequeen8298]

The college didn’t give you lunch? That’s a shame.

[@wrightplacewrighttime.5834]

you don't have a strong west midlands accent.

[@maulwurf62]

Would love to watch your content, but there’s no way as often as you make those smacking noises. Please look up misophonia. Thanks!