U.S. — Michigan State University released research estimating that over 280,000 autistic students are currently enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities. This figure is three to five times higher than previous data suggested.

The study examined 731 publications, reviewed 16 common survey instruments used at postsecondary institutions, and inspected codebooks from six federal datasets. Researchers state that 43 to 47 percent of high school students with autism go on to college.

Brad Cox, an associate professor of higher, adult and lifelong education at Michigan State University, noted the challenges in serving this population. "It's hard to serve a population you don't know is even there, because autism is an identity that isn't always apparent, isn't always visible," Cox said. "As a result, this population, despite all of the broader public attention that has come to autism over the last decade or two, in a college environment, these students are still underreported and underrecognized."

Under federal special education law, K–12 schools are responsible for identifying and supporting students with disabilities. In college, support shifts to a self-advocacy model under the Americans With Disabilities Act, meaning students must disclose their disability and request accommodations. The report estimates that between 3 and 4 percent of students registered with campus disability services offices are autistic.

"Folks who were diagnosed with autism before college, they don't actually report that identity or seek academic accommodations through a disability service office," Cox said. "And then even those students who get those accommodations often don't feel like they're the ones that are most necessary or important or valuable."

Cox founded the College Autism Network, which connects professionals, researchers, and advocates to improve access, experiences, and outcomes for autistic college students. Cox was diagnosed as autistic and his son was diagnosed with autism at 4 years old.