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Wellbeing Services in Devon

Support for students with autism spectrum conditions

We provide a range of support for autistic students.

We know support needs vary considerably for autistic students and we advise contacting us as early as possible prior to arrival at Exeter, so that individual needs can be discussed.

If you are a prospective student, please read through our Prospective Student webpage and fill out our Prospective Student online form at the earliest opportunity.

If you have any questions, please email us at accessability@exeter.ac.uk or call us on 01392 723880.

Autism Spectrum Community (ASC) Social Group

We run an ASC social group through the academic year, and transition days for students prior to the beginning of each academic year.

Transition Days for prospective students

Transition days provide students with an opportunity to become familiar with the University during a quieter period, and prepares them to successfully manage their transition to university. 

Dates and times for Transition Days are confirmed here at the earliest opportunity - please see more information in the drop-down below.

Further support

If you have not already done so, we strongly recommend that you fill out our Prospective Student Online Form as soon as possible to give us further information about the support adjustments you may require at Exeter. This can include accommodation needs and academic adjustments:

We also recommend you apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) as soon as you can, as this can give you access to support including assistive technology and software, and regular specialist mentoring sessions. DSA can take up to 14 weeks to be agreed, so it is best to start the application process as soon as possible:

If you have any questions, please get in touch with AccessAbility@exeter.ac.uk.

Online ASC Transition Day 2025 - Tuesday 9th September 

AccessAbility are running an online ASC transition event on Tuesday 9th September for any students who identify as autistic who are starting in September 2025. If you would like to attend for more information about the support available for autistic students at the University of Exeter, please complete the booking form below to register your interest. We will then send out further information to you closer to the time.

The event will run on Teams, and we ask that the mics and cameras of attendees are turned off to allow us to record the event.

How to book your place

Please complete the booking form below to express your interest. You can also add any questions that you might want us to answer on the day to the booking form.  

 

Schedule:

10:20-10:30

Join the Teams meeting

10:30-11:15

Introduction to AccessAbility / Wellbeing Services and information about Specialist Mentoring  

This session will include:

  • An AccessAbility Advisor giving you an overview of support available from Wellbeing Services
  • Information about Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
  • Information from a Specialist Mentor about mentoring

11:15-11:30

Break

11:30-12:30

Academic talk and Q & A 

This will include information about different types of teaching and learning sessions and the different roles of academic staff. There will be an interactive (anonymous) Menti poll which you can contribute to during this if you wish. 

12:30-13:30

Lunch break

13:30-14:15

What to expect when you arrive and accommodation 

A talk from our Residence Life Team including information about what to expect when you arrive, Welcome Week, and the support available from the Residence Life Teams.

14:15-14:30

Break

14:30-16:00

Current Student Q & A

A panel of our current students have kindly agreed to share their tips and knowledge about transitioning to university. We have some questions prepared for them to answer, but you are welcome to ask your own questions either directly in the chat or anonymously via the Menti.

There will be a short break part way through this session.

16:00-16:30

Final Comments and any remaining questions 

 

AccessAbility Advisors are the initial point of contact for students. During a meeting, the Advisor will set up an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) explaining reasonable adjustments that might be required, including specific recommendations for teaching and exams. We also liaise closely with academic colleges, the Accommodation Office and other University services, as necessary.

If you are a student with ASC you might benefit from:

  • Regular 1:1 meetings with a specialist mentor
  • Specific arrangements for exams and teaching
  • Support for your specific accommodation requirements, such as an ensuite room
  • 1:1 study skills support from a specialist tutor
  • A support worker to help you access the library or familiarise yourself with your campus
  • Access to assistive technology, including apps that help with organisation and managing the transition to University

Some students may not have a diagnosis of ASC, but suspect that they may have the condition. Those students can make an appointment to see an AccessAbility Adviser to discuss this in confidence. We can explore whether an assessment would be appropriate and can advise of the options for referral and assessment.

  • Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome for Parents, Professionals and You! by Jerry Newport.
  • Solutions for Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome: Maximising the Benefits, Minimising the Drawbacks to Achieve Success by Juanita Lovett.
  • Top tips for Asperger students: how to get the most out of university and college by Rosemary Martin