Social Challenges Faced by Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder at King Abdulaziz University and Their Impact on Academic Performance and Mental Health: A Case Study

The study aims to explore the social challenges faced by three students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at King Abdulaziz University, examine their impact on academic performance and mental health, and identify strategies and interventions proposed by these students and their families to overcome these challenges. The study adopted a qualitative case study approach, where semi-structured interviews were conducted with the three students and four of their family members as support participants. The results of the case analysis revealed that these students face many social challenges at the university, which were categorized into five main challenges: difficulties in social communication and interaction, difficulty in forming and maintaining friendships, lack of social understanding and acceptance, difficulty in participating in group activities, and difficulty in adapting to social environments. The results also showed that these challenges negatively affect the academic performance and mental health of some of these students, although the degree of impact varies from case to case. Several strategies and interventions were proposed by the students with ASD and their families to overcome these challenges, including: providing training courses for faculty members, encouraging students to form genuine friendships, organizing appropriate university activities, assigning academic and social mentors, and promoting community awareness. The study calls for considering the strategies and interventions proposed by the students themselves and their families when designing university support programs for them. It also recommends that universities adopt a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to support these students and prepare the university environment and community to accept the diversity of all students through the concerted efforts of universities, families, and society.
Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, social challenges, university students, academic performance, mental health.