autism goes to college
Autism Goes to College

If you have a child with special needs, please take this survey from Rutgers, which seeks to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affects families of children with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

This year’s South by Southwest Education Conference & Festival, which is now virtual thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, includes the documentary Autism Goes to College, which follows the lives and experiences of five Southern California students who are on the autism spectrum as they transition from high school to college.

The film follows the five students as they begin their college careers and their approaches to discussing their diagnoses in a new environment. Viewers are introduced to Guillermo, Jasmine, Caroline, Jonathan and Aniella as they’re admitted to and enrolled at UC Riverside; California State University, Long Beach; Cal State Fullerton; and Mt. San Jacinto College.

The film demonstrates how these students make decisions and balance their academic and extracurricular commitments, plus new relationships with roommates and peers. The documentary also showcases how colleges and universities are changing to better help neurodiverse students succeed.


Autism Goes to College will screen on Vimeo for free on June 4 at 4 pm EST. Following the screening, SXSW EDU Online will host a Q&A session with the students featured in the film. Visit the documentary’s website to learn more about it.

SXSW EDU, which was originally scheduled to be held in March for the tenth year, has a few other screenings and virtual presentations. Check out the events at the schedule here.

If you have a child with special needs, please take this survey from Rutgers, which seeks to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affects families of children with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.