You’ve decided to go to college—congratulations! College can cause anxiety for any student, but this is especially common for students with autism. Fortunately, with the right support and resources, you and other neurodivergent students can succeed in a college environment.

One of the most important ways to reach college success is to connect with disability support services. Many California universities, such as UCLA and CSU Long Beach, offer accommodations like extended test time, note-taking assistance and other academic support, and sensory-friendly spaces. 

Starting at a smaller community college before transferring to a larger university can help you adjust to college life in a way that is comfortable for you. You can stay on track by managing your time and balancing responsibilities using organizational tools like planners and checklists. Keeping focused on these and other simple strategies will help you minimize stress.

Many universities in California are stepping up with specialized programs and resources to help students with autism succeed with their support:

Academic Support

The Spectrum Connect program at UC Berkeley provides one-on-one academic coaching, helping students manage time and stay organized. The program also offers career readiness workshops that prepare students for life after college.

CSU Long Beach's LIFE Project focuses on supporting students with their academic and life skills. The program offers workshops on topics like time management and effective communication with peers and professors for those students who need extra support with social and academic demands.

Social Skills Programs

Cultivating social connections often leads to success in academic and business environments. However, autistic students often find it challenging to make friends and navigate social situations.

ThePEERSFor Careers program at UCLA teaches autistic students how to build social connections, interpret social cues, and manage conversations. These are practical skills that not only help with making friends but are also essential for succeeding in the workplace.

LIFE Project at CSU Long Beach focuses on peer mentoring and group activities that help students connect with others who share their experiences.

Programs like UCLA’s PEERS and CSU Long Beach’s LIFE Project are helping students make friends and develop leadership skills, which can make the college experience more rewarding and perhaps less overwhelming.

Self-advocacy and Supporting Independence

At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the Empowering Autistic ScholarsProgram pairs students with peer mentors who help them develop self-advocacy skills and encourage teamwork through group research projects. These mentors assist students in building collaboration skills while forming bonds with peers. Students learn how to interact with their teachers and peers and how to use the university's support services.

UCLA's College to Career program focuses on preparing students for the workplace through job interview training and resume building. The program aims to help students transition smoothly from college to a career.

Schools like CSU Northridge teach students skills that help them self-advocate for accommodations to disability resources staff or professors.

Supportive Communities

Feeling like you belong on campus is often a highlighted part of the college experience, and many California universities are working hard to promote a sense of community for their autistic students.

Spectrum Connect at UC Berkeley offers group activities, study groups, and social events, making it easier for students to form friendships and feel connected to other students.

California universities are equipping autistic students with the tools to succeed in college and beyond. With the appropriate support systems, autistic students can succeed in university environments. If you're exploring schools in California, take a closer look at these programs—they might provide the exact support you need to succeed.