Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comprehensive Guide to Embracing Neurodiversity and Nurturing Individuals

Students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder are almost twenty percent less likely than their non-autistic peers to graduate college (White et al., 2017). The diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, can be a significant facet of personal identity for many individuals on the spectrum. Due to this, disclosure of diagnoses can be a deeply personal decision and can be situational. Because college-age students on the spectrum are forming an identity concerning their diagnosis (Bent et al, 2016; Cox et al., 2017), peer social distancing behaviors are an important factor in student confidence and academic success. Researchers completed this study to determine if social distancing behaviors of college students were influenced by a disclosure of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Students from a medium-sized southeastern university were recruited as participants. They rated their perceptions of an ostensible student described as exhibiting behaviors characteristic of Autism Spectrum Disorder