Students with Autism Spectrum Condition attending Higher Education - Challenges for Students and Educators - Doctor of Education (EdD) dissertation

Sep 5, 2026

Increasing numbers of Autistic students in Ireland transition into Higher Education, driven by earlier identification, diagnosis, and access to intervention in primary and post-primary settings. While growth in participation is positive, it creates adaptation challenges for students and educators within specialized learning environments. This dissertation investigates how the Higher Education experience of Autistic individuals can be enhanced and how educators can be supported to deliver a more inclusive learning environment. It also examines challenges for educators teaching Autistic adult learners and proposes how providers can create more inclusive settings for students with special educational needs.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages281

Reading Time11 h 48 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Acknowledgements

Acronyms

Chapter 1 Introduction

1. Introduction

1.1 Background, Context, and History of the Problem

1.2 Autism Spectrum and Special Education Needs

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION Students with autism spectrum condition attending higher education: challenges for students and educators Mulhall, Majella Award date: 2024 Awarding institution: Queen's University Belfast Link to publication Terms of use All those accessing thesis content in Queen’s University Belfast Research Portal are subject to the following terms and conditions of use • Copyright is subject to the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988 , or as modified by any successor legislation • Copyright and moral rights for thesis content are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners • A copy of a thesis may be downloaded for personal non-commercial research/study without the need for permission or charge • Distribution or reproduction of thesis content in any format is not permitted without the permission of the copyright holder • When citing this work, full bibliographic details should be supplied, including the author, title, awarding institution and date of thesis Take down policy A thesis can be removed from the Research Portal if there has been a breach of copyright, or a similarly robust reason. If you believe this document breaches copyright, or there is sufficient cause to take down, please contact us, citing details. Email: [openaccess@qub.ac.uk](openaccess@qub.ac.uk) Supplementary materials Where possible, we endeavour to provide supplementary materials to theses. This may include video, audio and other types of files. We endeavour to capture all content and upload as part of the Pure record for each thesis. Note, it may not be possible in all instances to convert analogue formats to usable digital formats for some supplementary materials. We exercise best efforts on our behalf and, in such instances, encourage the individual to consult the physical thesis for further information. Download date: 05. Sep. 2026 Students with Autism Spectrum Condition attending Higher Education: Challenges for Students and Educators. By Majella Mulhall, BA, MSc, PGCert. A dissertation submitted as part of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education (EdD) in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University, Belfast. April 2023 Abstract The increasing number of Autistic students transitioning into Higher Education (HE) in Ireland is considered to be a response to early identification and diagnosis, and access to early interventions in primary and post-primary education (Doyle, Gleeson and Treanor 2009) . While the continuous growth of Autistic students attending higher education is a positive situation, it does place challenges on both the students and their educators to adapt to special learning environments and practices. The aim is to research how the experience of Autistic individuals attending higher education can be enhanced along with supporting their educators in providing a more inclusive learning environment. In addition, this study aims to identify and examine the challenges faced by educators in teaching Autistic adult students. Finally, to identify and determine how higher education providers can provide a more inclusive setting for students with special educational needs. Semi-structured interviews were used as the primary research method for this research study. Interviews were carried out with four students, three lecturers and two support staff. The students all had an Autism diagnosis and were attending college/university at the time of the interviews, along with three lecturers who work in higher education and have experience of working with Autistic students and also two support staff, one who is the head of the learning support department in a private college and the other is head of student services in a public college. The key findings that emerged from this study are collated under four main themes, which are: Autism Awareness and Student Disclosure, Accommodation and Supports, Professional Development and For

FAQs

What problem does the dissertation address about Autistic students in Higher Education?

It focuses on the challenges faced by Autistic students and educators as more Autistic learners transition into Higher Education and need appropriate learning environments and practices.

How was the research conducted?

The study used semi-structured interviews with four students, three lecturers, and two support staff who were experienced in higher education support.

What main themes summarize the key findings?

The findings are organized into four themes: Autism Awareness and Student Disclosure, Accommodation and Supports, Professional Development, and Formal Structures.

Sep 5, 2026

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