Executive Functioning and College Adjustment in Students With and Without Autistic Traits

Although individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are attending college at higher rates, students with ASD continue to struggle with adjusting to the college environment and successfully completing their degrees. Thus, the present study compared executive functioning (EF) and academic outcomes (i.e., performance, adjustment) among students with and without ASD traits, as well as examined associations among these variables. Findings revealed greater executive dysfunction and lower levels of both social and personal- emotional adjustment among students with ASD traits. Additionally, ASD symptomatology predicted social and personal-emotional adjustment among students, above and beyond the influence of EF. Results suggest that cognitive, social, and emotional supports may all be important to improve college adjustment among individuals with ASD.