Colleges Serving More Autistic Students Than They Realize, Researchers Say

NDAG Community Roundup: July 24, 2026

 

In early July, our faculty co-chair, Dr. Tiffany Banks was invited by CNMS to present on the topic Understanding Neurodiversity in Higher Education: Awareness and Language.  A second presentation on neurodiversity is scheduled for CNMS later this summer. If you are interested in assisting with the presentation, or would like to help us to develop a series, please contact the co-chairs at tbanks4@umbc.edu or ghoaglan@umbc.edu. 

 

External Events & Opportunities

(Note: The following events are not affiliated with UMBC)

 

Colleges Serving More Autistic Students Than They Realize, Researchers Say (Inside Higher Ed)

New research from Michigan State University finds that enrollment among autistic students is far higher than previously estimated, underscoring gaps in how campuses identify and support students.

Research Presentation: Autistic College Students & Disclosure: Understanding Student Experiences and Factors Contributing to Decision Making (virtual) College Autism Network

Presenter: Jess Monahan, Ph.D. (Assistant Research Professor, University of Maryland, College Park)

Date & Time:Tues, Aug 11 at 12pm ET

Meeting Link: https://pitt.zoom.us/j/99708176228 

In this session, Dr. Jess Monahan will explore the complexity surrounding autistic college students and their decision to disclose their autistic identity. We will review the most current literature in the field, with a focus on a study conducted by Michaela Hodges-Fulton and Dr. Monahan. The presentation will wrap with thoughts on how we best support students in this decision-making process and a Q&A.

 

ADHD and Inflammatory and Immune System Disorders: Exploring Links and Risks - ADDitude Webinar

Presenter: Beth Krone, Ph.D.

DATE & TIME: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 @ 1pm EDT

Registration required to attend or to watch replay
ADHD and conditions such as asthma, food or skin allergies, and other immune-related disorders may be more closely connected than previously thought. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that ADHD is associated with inflammatory and immune system conditions.

 

College Autism Summit Student Experience - 

Sunday, November 8, 1:00-5:00 pm ET (Free, In Person)

This year, the Summit Student Experience will be focusing on graduate students and high achieving undergraduate students with a direct interest in practice or research in autism support in higher education. The Experience will start with a (free) pre-conference workshop focusing on connecting practice to research through the lens of policy development. This will provide an opportunity for networking and connection among the next generation of CAN's membership.

The Student Experience is free for full-time students who register at the student rate and answer “yes” to the Student Experience question when registering.

https://www.collegeautismnetwork.org/events/2026-summit

 

Kanopy

This month, through the streaming app kanopy (available free through most local libraries), you have access to a number of programs featuring neurodiversity. Available for a limited time, they include:

• BBC’s Inside Our Minds S2 - delve into the lives of ADHD and dyslexic people (2025)
• Neurodivergent - follow the filmmaker’s journey as she discovers her ADHD diagnosis (2020)
• Autism Goes to College - schools and students alike are trying to figure out how to manage the unique challenges experienced by this community (2020)
• The Reason I Jump - based on the best-selling book by Naoki Higashida (2020)