Michigan State University Research Reveals Significant Underestimation of Autistic College Students
New research from Michigan State University indicates that colleges and universities in the U.S. may be significantly underestimating the number of autistic students enrolled. The study, which analyzed 731 publications, 16 common survey instruments, and six federal datasets, estimates that over 280,000 autistic students are currently attending U.S. colleges and universities. This figure is three to five times higher than previous estimates. Brad Cox, an associate professor of higher, adult, and lifelong education at Michigan State, highlighted that earlier estimates relied on outdated data, providing an incomplete picture of this student group. The researchers suggest that many institutions are unaware of the true number of autistic students they serve, which hinders their ability to design effective policies, services, and support systems tailored to their needs. 
