Learning from the experts: Evaluating a participatory autism and universal design training for university educators.

Researchers created a training program to help university professors better understand autistic students. The training was designed with help from autistic people themselves. Nearly 100 professors took part, completing surveys before and after the training. Results showed the training helped professors understand autism better and gave them ideas for teaching all students more effectively. The positive effects lasted at least a month after the training.

This study evaluated a participatory autism training program developed by autistic and non-autistic researchers for university educators. The training aimed to improve professors' understanding of autistic students and promote universal design teaching practices. Pre-training surveys of 98 professors revealed that prior autism knowledge, equity beliefs, and being female were associated with more positive autism attitudes. Post-training evaluation with 89 professors showed improved understanding and appreciation of autism, with benefits maintained at one-month follow-up.

The study demonstrates that co-designed training involving autistic researchers can effectively enhance educators' autism knowledge and teaching practices for all students.

Participatory training programs co-designed with autistic individuals show promise for improving educator understanding and teaching practices. Results suggest targeting educators with existing equity awareness may enhance training effectiveness. Universal design approaches may benefit all students while supporting autistic learners.

Study methodology not clearly described in abstract. Sample retention unclear (98 pre-training, 89 post-training). No control group mentioned. Long-term follow-up limited to one month. Outcome measures not specified in detail.

Autistic university students have many strengths. They also go through difficulties that professors may not understand. Professors may not understand what college life is like for autistic students. They might judge autistic students.

A team of autistic and non-autistic researchers made a training to help professors understand autistic students better. This training also gave professors ideas to help them teach all of their students. Ninety-eight professors did an online survey before the autism training. They shared how they felt about autism and teaching.

Before our training, professors who knew more about autism appreciated autism more. Professors who thought people should be equal and women also appreciated autism more. Then, 89 of the professors did our training and another survey after the training. This helped us see what they learned from the training.

They did one more survey a month later. This helped us see what they remembered. Our training helped professors understand and value autism. It also helped them understand how they can teach all students better.

The professors remembered a lot of what we taught them. This study shows that a training that autistic people helped make can help professors understand their autistic students better.