Autism Spectrum Disorder and College Major Choice: Looking Beyond the STEM Majors

• In Event: 60.045 - Underrepresented Students and STEM

Abstract

The highly variable cognitive and behavioral phenotype associated with ASD portends significant challenges for higher and post-secondary faculty and staff in developing and implementing effective academic success strategies that address the range of developmental and academic needs of students with ASD in their college-decision-making processes and eventual major choices. The purpose of this study is to examine how the social and executive functionalities of students with ASD predict their college major choice across all majors using the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2. Function centroids for each major were plotted by conversational and mental functionalities. The result is a map of 23 majors for college students with ASD based on their functional abilities, rather than a deficit model based on students’ diagnoses.

Authors

• Amanda L. Nolen, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

• Jim Vander Putten, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

• Rascheel S. Hastings, University of Arkansas at Little Rock