Autistic students at an Atlantic Canadian University: Exploring prevalence, academic performance, mental health, social relationships, university belongingness and potential to flourish

As autistic student postsecondary enrolment increases, it is essential to examine relevant factors to inform the development/delivery of supports and services to optimize retention and success. Based on data extracted from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA-III) survey (2023) distributed to Atlantic Canadian students (N = 1694), Chi square tests assessed whether response frequencies of autistic students varied from a matched, non-autistic student sample in terms of academic, mental health, social, and university belongingness variables. A hierarchical regression subsequently explored whether these factors predicted positive mental health (PMH), and potential to flourish. Approximately 3.0 % of the entire sample (n = 50; mean age 27.0 years, SD=7.55) reported autism, and relative to the control group, were equally likely to be at the undergraduate/graduate level, enrolled in every faculty, achieve an ‘A’ grade, and report ‘excellent/very good’ health, academic and faculty issues, and university belongingness. However, autistic students were significantly more likely to report psychological distress, suicidality risk, social exclusion/isolation, problems with peers, microaggression, as well as poorer class performance, and degree completion delays due to anxiety and/ordepression. Stronger university belongingness significantly predicted higher PMH for autistic students and may therefore be a central, multidimensional indicator of potential to flourish. Implication of findings are considered. ● Autistic university students were compared to a matched sample of non-autistic peers. ● Academic performance, faculty affiliation, and university belonging were comparable. ● Poorer mental health and social challenges were more likely among autistic students. ● University belonging was a unique predictor of flourishing among autistic students.