ASD and Social Anxiety - Uni Choices?

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DD has ASD1 and Anxiety primarily social. She changed school mid-teens because we had to move and it was an incredibly challenging time for her so we're aware that starting Uni is going to be difficult especially socially. Having said that 2.5 years in, she is settled and achieving higher than average if not stellar grades and there's no reason to assume similar won't happen at Uni. She wants Uni as she's not sure she's ready for the full-time workplace yet, but she does want a placement year as a taster for work.

So we're starting to look at options

• She's taking IB scores and if I judge based on current grades probably sitting around mid-thirties so in A levels that's probably ABB or BBB. She could probably score higher but I'm assuming nerves will kick in at exams
• Sciences are her interest. Her IB choice is HL Bio, Chem, Psycology, SL Maths AA, English and French. So far she's interested in BioChem, BioMedical, and maybe Psychology. Any that have a particularly good work placement reputation/options?
• She wants to be in Scotland or North England as we have family there. I think she needs a large town/small city, not rural, central campus, good selection of accommodation (I can't see her making solid enough friends in the first few months to be able to choose flatmates early for Y2), possibly quiet dorm options, and of course strong pastoral care.

Be very grateful for any ideas of Unis to consider. This article has suggested https://www.fenews.co.uk/student-view/the-best-neurodivergent-friendly-universities-in-the-uk-revealed/ Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam, Strathclyde. I'm discounting the likes of Durham etc as I think the pressure would be wrong.

And of course, any experience of those who have kids in Uni at the moment and how they've got on is equally gratefully received.

Thanks!

I'm sure you will and I know this sounds obvious, but try to find the exact right person to ask about it, if you do email. You might end up with an unhelpful administrator in a different dept whose idea of being helpful is a bit off the mark.

Dd is autistic and is currently studying medicine at Dundee. She's just started but it all seems to be going well. Can't speak for other departments but pastoral support in medicine seems good. It's a brilliant university for sciences, plus small city, good accommodation options.

@OnceAndFutureMum thank you - yes totally agree. DD's current school is very supportive but we've definitely had the experience of going around the house to find the right person who can help. Even this thread has given me some ideas of support I hadn't thought of

@Habbibu that's so interesting, DD was interested in medicine but is worried her exam stress will mean she doesn't get the grades and that her social skills just aren't there. I'm delighted your daughter is doing well, thats so inspirational to hear.

I think for medicine you've got to really really want to do it. I found DD's P7 jotter and in it was a story in which she describes herself as being a medical student. The process of applying for medicine is a bit brutal and it's not something I would recommend unless you're super keen. Graduate entry is difficult but it is an option and if your DD is thinking about it afterwards. It's something she can go for.

But as I said, if she is interested in Life Sciences then I would really recommend Dundee - it has a fantastic reputation and the city is definitely on the up. I worked for the guy who is head of the administration and he is a really, really decent person who cares about the students. I know that can't always trickle down to everyone, but I do rate him.

Any thoughts of what she wants to do with degree? With biomedical if she wants to be within the NHS as a BMS she’s better off doing an IBMS accredited program. Which tends not to be the RG offering.

I agree - medicine really has to be a vocation. She's talked about anesthesiologist and psychiatrist but then she has also talked about research, nothing definite. So I'd say she doesn't have the same vocation as Habbibu's DD. Hence I think a broader science degree is a better starting point. Especially as the process is as you all were saying brutal and extra exams, etc. But its a very good point to check what associations they offer accreditation into - I hadn't considered that before, so thank you.

She and I are not focused on RG other than they are more likely to have college systems which appeal from the social perspective - as was mentioned before with York and Lancaster. I think their access to industry for placements is probably a bigger factor which she needs to look into. Thinking ahead - University is a big step but so is going through interviews, getting into the workplace so a placement year would be good.