As the number of students on the autism spectrum attending college steadily climbs, schools and students alike are trying to figure out how to manage the unique challenges experienced by this community. Getting accepted is often easy enough, but once on campus, navigating college can be challenging in many ways, often leaving students to figure it out as they go along.
Five students on the autism spectrum — Guillermo, Jasmine, Caroline, Jonathan, and Aniella — invite viewers into their dorms and classrooms to show the world how they make college work for them. They share their dreams, fears, failures, and successes with candid insights and humor.
The students in the film come up against the typical challenges any other college student would encounter such as academic loads, making friends, handling roommate situations, and handling money. Disability services counselors at colleges try out a patchwork of new approaches and programs to help both students and faculty better accommodate their unique needs.
Autism Goes to College is a first of its kind film, packed with honest insights for students, parents, and educators that offers an eye-opening look at what a growing number of neuro-diverse students are bringing to campuses.
Webby Awards 2022 Anthem Award Gold Winner for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Special Projects
"While the film has a hopeful tone and most students meet their goals, it doesn't sugarcoat stumbling blocks...Helpful to encourage self-advocacy for students and their families, with insights for faculty members, who will continue to encounter neurodiverse students as the number of people diagnosed with ASD continues to grow." — School Library Journal
"Filmmaker Erik Linthorst finds significant issues and lack of accommodation for college-age American students on the autism spectrum...As things stand, autistic students must often act as their own advocates. With an assertion that the population of autistic college students is badly undercounted, this short feature deserves attention from institutional collections. Recommended." — Video Librarian
"The film tells the students' stories by showing their lives and interviewing advisers, family members, and professors. It also examines the lack of standardization by universities that would be tremendously beneficial to students with autism across the nation. This is a sweet, tenderhearted movie that shows how empathy can positively affect lives." — Library Journal
"This brightly colored film follows five students on the autism spectrum as they work towards their degrees...Recommended for students and educators in higher education interested in learning more about their autistic students and classmates. It is highly recommended for any autistic students considering attending university and their families." — Educational Media Reviews Online
"In this upbeat program, filmmakers talk to five students at California universities who have made this move. In their own words, they share some of the obstacles they've faced, including filling out forms, adjusting to roommates, conquering anxiety, and eve staying seated in class. Not all teachers understand how to handle autistic students' varied needs, although an interviewed professor good naturedly describes the challenges...Students and parents facing similar situations will be reassured. Especially reassuring for students facing similar challenges." — Booklist
"A first of its kind film, packed with honest insights for students, parents, and educators offering an eye-opening look at what a growing number of neurodiverse students are bringing to campus." — SXSW EDU
"This important film is heartfelt and necessary. As more and more students with autism arrive at college, we need to see how they do it, and how we could do better for them." — Ricki Robinson, MD, Profectum / Author, Autism Solutions
"In helping autistic students apply to college, I've worked with many who could really benefit from role models who've blazed a trail for them. Autism Goes to College provides a wonderful example for families to see several students who have successfully made the vital leap to higher education. The film is a fascinating window into their stories, and a moving showcase for their struggles and triumphs. I've recommended it again and again!" — Eric Endlich, PhD, Psychologist / Founder, Top College Consultants
"These students are genuine and hilarious. More than anything else, this film is a celebration of their lives, their spirit and accomplishments." — Jan Blacher, Associate Dean, UC Riverside's Graduate School of Education
"Film offers a rare window to the experiences of the growing population of students who, despite their autism diagnosis, are now graduating from high school and opting to go to college." — UC Riverside News
"Provides time for discussion of obstacles that can be particularly imposing for collegians on the autism spectrum. The documentary points out that most college students living with autism spectrum disorder don't disclose their status when they apply to school, and tend not to do so until a personal crisis occurs...Autism Goes to College highlights the students' achievements" — CSU Long Beach News
"I think it's definitely great to show that there are students on the spectrum who are working alongside what people might call 'typical students', and they are succeeding in the same way." — Aubry Mintz, Director, CSU Long Beach School of Art
Citation
Main credits
Linthorst, Erik (film director)
Linthorst, Erik (film producer)
Becker, Jody (screenwriter)
Becker, Jody (film producer)
Other credits
Editing, Randy Abrams; directors of photography, Alexander Sutton-Hough, Shoubert David; music, Brandon Roberts, Alex Bornstein.
