View in EDS

Academic Preferences and Performance of Post-Secondary Autism Spectrum Disorder Students: A Comparative Analysis

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Academic Preferences and Performance of Post-Secondary Autism Spectrum Disorder Students: A Comparative Analysis
Language: English
Authors: Dax-Andrew Parcells (ORCID 0009-0006-5359-9637), Hersh Chaitin (ORCID 0000-0002-8574-3705), Jesse Bell (ORCID 0000-0002-1993-8168), Richard Hunter (ORCID 0009-0003-9933-0615), Ornella Barile (ORCID 0009-0005-0367-5737), Javad Hashemi (ORCID 0000-0002-3242-8752)
Source: International Journal on Social and Education Sciences. 2026 8(1):97-114.
Availability: International Society for Technology, Education, and Science. ISTES Organization, Monument, CO 80132. e-mail: istesorganization@gmail.com; e-mail: ijonsesoffice@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.ijonses.net/index.php/ijonses
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Postsecondary Education
Higher Education
Two Year Colleges
Descriptors: Postsecondary Education, Autism Spectrum Disorders, College Students, Students with Disabilities, Academic Accommodations (Disabilities), Academic Achievement, Associate Degrees, Majors (Students), Grade Point Average, Educational Attainment, Enrollment Rate, Student School Relationship, Inclusion, State Universities, Academic Support Services
ISSN: 2688-7061
Abstract: A substantial body of literature has explored the barriers Autistic students face in completing post-secondary education, often citing challenges in social integration, academic engagement, and retention. However, much of this research relies on self-reported data. To address this gap, the present study used institutional transcript data to compare the academic profiles of Autistic students registered with the College's accessibility office to their peers in the same Associate of Science (AS) degree programs. From an initial pool of 2,488 students enrolled from Fall 2020 to Spring 2024, a final dataset of 731 students was analyzed, including 26 SAO-registered Autistic students. Key outcomes included student major, GPA, and credit completion ratio. Findings revealed that Autistic students disproportionately pursued majors such as Computer Programming (27%), Movie Production (27%), and Graphic Design (19%). GPA analysis showed that these students performed on par with their peers overall and outperformed them specifically in the Computer Programming/Networking track. Credit completion ratios were similar between groups, with Autistic students exceeding peers in Movie Production. The study demonstrates that, when provided with federally mandated accommodations, Autistic students achieve academic success equivalent to or greater than their peers. Their consistent interest and strong performance in specific technical and creative fields suggest valuable opportunities for targeted program development, advising, and ongoing efforts to promote equitable access that supports the strengths and goals of students with disabilities.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1494244
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1494244
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1494244
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Academic Preferences and Performance of Post-Secondary Autism Spectrum Disorder Students: A Comparative Analysis
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dax-Andrew+Parcells%22">Dax-Andrew Parcells</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5359-9637">0009-0006-5359-9637</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hersh+Chaitin%22">Hersh Chaitin</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8574-3705">0000-0002-8574-3705</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jesse+Bell%22">Jesse Bell</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1993-8168">0000-0002-1993-8168</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Richard+Hunter%22">Richard Hunter</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9933-0615">0009-0003-9933-0615</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ornella+Barile%22">Ornella Barile</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0367-5737">0009-0005-0367-5737</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Javad+Hashemi%22">Javad Hashemi</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3242-8752">0000-0002-3242-8752</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+on+Social+and+Education+Sciences%22"><i>International Journal on Social and Education Sciences</i></searchLink>. 2026 8(1):97-114.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: International Society for Technology, Education, and Science. ISTES Organization, Monument, CO 80132. e-mail: istesorganization@gmail.com; e-mail: ijonsesoffice@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.ijonses.net/index.php/ijonses
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 18
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Two+Year+Colleges%22">Two Year Colleges</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Autism+Spectrum+Disorders%22">Autism Spectrum Disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Students+with+Disabilities%22">Students with Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Accommodations+%28Disabilities%29%22">Academic Accommodations (Disabilities)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Associate+Degrees%22">Associate Degrees</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Majors+%28Students%29%22">Majors (Students)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grade+Point+Average%22">Grade Point Average</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Attainment%22">Educational Attainment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Enrollment+Rate%22">Enrollment Rate</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+School+Relationship%22">Student School Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusion%22">Inclusion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22State+Universities%22">State Universities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Support+Services%22">Academic Support Services</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2688-7061
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: A substantial body of literature has explored the barriers Autistic students face in completing post-secondary education, often citing challenges in social integration, academic engagement, and retention. However, much of this research relies on self-reported data. To address this gap, the present study used institutional transcript data to compare the academic profiles of Autistic students registered with the College's accessibility office to their peers in the same Associate of Science (AS) degree programs. From an initial pool of 2,488 students enrolled from Fall 2020 to Spring 2024, a final dataset of 731 students was analyzed, including 26 SAO-registered Autistic students. Key outcomes included student major, GPA, and credit completion ratio. Findings revealed that Autistic students disproportionately pursued majors such as Computer Programming (27%), Movie Production (27%), and Graphic Design (19%). GPA analysis showed that these students performed on par with their peers overall and outperformed them specifically in the Computer Programming/Networking track. Credit completion ratios were similar between groups, with Autistic students exceeding peers in Movie Production. The study demonstrates that, when provided with federally mandated accommodations, Autistic students achieve academic success equivalent to or greater than their peers. Their consistent interest and strong performance in specific technical and creative fields suggest valuable opportunities for targeted program development, advising, and ongoing efforts to promote equitable access that supports the strengths and goals of students with disabilities.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1494244
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1494244
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 18
        StartPage: 97
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Postsecondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Autism Spectrum Disorders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Students with Disabilities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Accommodations (Disabilities)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Associate Degrees
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Majors (Students)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grade Point Average
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Attainment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Enrollment Rate
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student School Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Inclusion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: State Universities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Support Services
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Academic Preferences and Performance of Post-Secondary Autism Spectrum Disorder Students: A Comparative Analysis
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Dax-Andrew Parcells
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Hersh Chaitin
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Jesse Bell
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Richard Hunter
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Ornella Barile
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Javad Hashemi
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2688-7061
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 8
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: International Journal on Social and Education Sciences
              Type: main
ResultId 1