Autistic students on campus face higher anxiety

A Binghamton University study finds autistic college students report higher anxiety and depression than their non autistic peers, signaling a need for stronger campus supports.

Autistic students face higher anxiety rates on campus

Researchers used data from the National Survey of Student Engagement to compare anxiety and depression among autistic and non autistic undergraduates. The NSSE dataset covers 342 universities and 149,783 undergraduate responders, with 2021 marking the first year autism appeared as an endorsable category in the survey, enabling new comparisons.

Researchers found autistic students report higher rates of anxiety and depression and urge colleges to provide supports that address both autism and mental health. The team cautions that campuses must look beyond autism alone and consider factors such as social dynamics, accessibility, and faculty support as part of overall well-being, while noting that more research is needed to identify the drivers of these disparities.

The study arrives as colleges face rising mental health demands and pressure to be inclusive. It highlights a tension between recognizing autistic students as a diverse group and delivering practical supports.

There are limits to the data, including reliance on self-reported responses and a cross-sectional design, but the authors frame this as a starting point for campus action. If universities act on these findings, they could improve access to counseling, faculty training, and adaptive services.

Highlights

As campuses rethink supports, listening to autistic students will shape the next steps.