The learning experiences of UK autistic university students during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This article examines the learning experiences of autistic university students in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on the period from the first lockdown in March 2020 through the return to in-person learning in July 2021. Using qualitative survey data from 17 participants, the study identifies an overarching theme, "change impacts learning," with three subthemes: online learning worked well for some students by providing greater control, flexibility, and reduced sensory challenges; for others, online learning posed difficulties related to focus, engagement, and lack of support; and returning to campus introduced sensory overload and the need for masking, which caused stress and exhaustion. The findings highlight the diversity of autistic students' experiences and suggest that universities should consider individualized support, including maintaining accessible online learning options, improving communication and teaching practices, creating sensory-friendly campus spaces, and increasing autism awareness to reduce stigma and the pressures of masking.