Percepciones de estudiantes autistas chilenos: ¿Cómo tener una buena experiencia universitaria?
Resumen
La tasa de estudiantes autistas que ingresan a la educación superior aumenta año a año. No obstante, poco se ha estudiado, especialmente en Latinoamérica, sobre las formas en las cuales estos estudiantes perciben la vida universitaria. Este estudio explora las percepciones de un grupo de estudiantes autistas sobre cómo se pueden garantizar experiencias positivas en la educación superior. Para ello, se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad a diez estudiantes universitarios autistas, las cuales fueron analizadas por medio de un análisis temático, siguiendo una codificación inductiva a nivel explícito. Como resultados del estudio, compartimos sugerencias que los participantes tienen para estudiantes que van a entrar a la universidad, para los docentes y para las instituciones. Los resultados tienen implicancias para establecimientos educativos de educación superior y para el desarrollo de política pública e institucional.
Citas
American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [5ta ed.]. American Psychiatric Association.
Anderson, A., Stephenson, J., Carter, M. y Carlon, S. (2019). A Systematic Literature Review of Empirical Research on Postsecondary Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(4), 1531-448. 10.1007/s10803-018-3840-2.
Anderson, K. A., McDonald, T. A., Edsall, D., Smith, L. E. y Taylor, J. L. (2016). Postsecondary expectations of high-school students with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 31(1), 16-26. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357615610107
Arnett, J. J. (2004). Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the twenties. Oxford University Press.
Artigas-Pallares, J. y Paula, I. (2011). El autismo 70 años después de Leo Kanner y Hans Asperger. Revista de la Asociación Española de Neuropsiquiatría, 32(115), 567-587. https://doi.org/10.4321/S0211-57352012000300008
Bakker, T., Krabbendam, L., Bhulai, S. y Begeer, S. (2019). Background and enrollment characteristics of students with autism in higher education. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 67, 101424.
Boshoff, K., Redmond, G., Slee, P. y Robinson, S. (2024). The perceptions of autistic school students of their well-being at school: a meta-synthesis. European Journal of Special Needs Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2024.2421108
Botha, M. y Cage, E. (2022). “Autism research is in crisis”: A mixed method study of researcher’s constructions of autistic people and autism research. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1050897
Braun, V. y Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Cage, E. y Howes, J. (2020). Dropping out and moving on: A qualitative study of autistic people’s experiences of university. Autism, 24(7), 1664-1675. 10.1177/1362361320918750
Cai, R. Y. y Richdale, A. L. (2016). Educational experiences and needs of higher education students with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(1), 31-41.
Camarena, P. M. y Sarigiani, P. A. (2009). Postsecondary educational aspirations of highfunctioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and their parents. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 24(2), 115-128. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357609332675
Carcamo, B. (2025a). Studies with Students on the Spectrum in Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review using PRISMA. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 24(5), 334-353. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.24.4.16
Carcamo, B. (2025b). The experience of autistic students at a private Chilean university: Facilitators and barriers. British Journal of Special Education, 52(4), 565-575. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.70054
Carcamo, B. y Hernández, C. (2024). “There Are Days When You Feel Alone”: Exploring English as a Foreign Language Teachers’ Perceptions of their Efforts to Promote Interaction in Online Classes. Colombian Applied Linguistics Journal, 26(1), 47-61. https://doi.org/10.14483/22487085.20565
Causey, J., Pevitz, A., Ryu, M., Scheetz, A. y Shapiro, D. (Febrero de 2022). Completing college: National and state report on six-year completion rates for fall 2015 beginning cohort (Signature Report 20). National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Chalk, H. M., Barlett, C. P. y Barlett, N. D. (2020). Disability self-identification and well-being in emerging adults. Emerging Adulthood, 8(4), 306-316. https://doi.org/10.11772167696818812604
Chellappa, S. (2024). Neuroaffirming services for autistic people. The Lancet, 11(2), 96-97.
Church, S., Dunn, M. y Prokopy, L. (2019). Benefits to Qualitative Data Quality with Multiple Coders: Two Case Studies in Multi-coder Data Analysis. Journal of Rural Social Sciences, 34(1). https://egrove.olemiss.edu/jrss/vol34/iss1/2
Clouder, L., Karakus, M., Cinotti, A., Ferreyra, M. V., Fierros, G. A. y Rojo, P. (2020). Neurodiversity in higher education: A narrative synthesis. Higher Education, 80, 757–778. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-020-00513-6
Conner, C. M. y White S. W. (2018). Brief report: Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of individual mindfulness therapy for adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(1), 290-300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3312-0
Cortés Palomino, M., Valencia, L., Vergara Medina, C., Sierra Agudelo, G., Acevedo Serna, A. y Gómez Pineda, H. (2023). ¿Autistas en la Universidad? Un encuentro posible. Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana.
Cox, B., Edelstein, J., Brogdon, B. y Roy, A. (2021). Navigating challenges to facilitate success for college students with autism. The Journal of Higher Education, 92(2), 252-278. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.2020.1798203
Cunningham, M. (2022). ‘This school is 100 % not autistic friendly’ Listening to the voices of primary-aged autistic children to understand what an autistic friendly primary school should be like. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 26(12), 1211-1225. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2020.1789767
Davis, M., Watts, G. y López, E. (2021). A systematic review of firsthand experiences and supports for students with autism spectrum disorder in higher education. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 84, 101769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101769
DEMRE. (2023). Informe de participación de personas en situación de discapacidad Proceso de Admisión 2023. https://demre.cl/inclusion/documentos/memoria_2023.pdf
Fabri, M., Fenton, G., Andrews, P. y Beaton, M. (2022). Experiences of Higher Education Students on the Autism Spectrum: Stories of Low Mood and High Resilience. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 69(4), 1411-1429. https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2020.1767764
Folta, S., Bandini, L., Must, A., Pelletier, J., Ryan, K. y Curtin, C. (2022). Exploring leisure time use and impact on well-being among transition-age autistic youth. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorder, 96, 101996.
Franceschette, C. y Zapata-Cardona, L. (2025). Perspectivas del profesorado sobre la enseñanza de las matemáticas a estudiantes con autismo. Revista Colombiana de Educación, 96. https://doi.org//10.17227/rce.num96-20401
Frost, K., Bailey, K. e Ingersoll, B. (2019). ‘I just want them to see me as...me’: Identity, community, and disclosure practices among college students on the autism spectrum. Autism Adulthood, 13(1), 268-275. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2018.0057
Gelbar, N., Madaus, J. W., Dukes, L., Fagella-Luby, M., Volk, D. y Monahan, J. (2020). Self-Determination and college students with disabilities: Research trends and construct measurement. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 57(2), 163-181. https://doi.org/10.1080/19496591.2019.1631835
Gobbo, K. y Shmulsky, S. (2016). Autistic identity development and postsecondary education. Disability Studies Quarterly, 36(3). https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v36i3.5053
Goddard, H. y Cook, A. (2021). “I Spent Most of Freshers in my Room”—A Qualitative Study of the Social Experiences of University Students on the Autistic Spectrum. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52, 2701 - 2716. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05125-2
Gómez-Marí, I., Sanz-Cervera, P. y Tárraga-Mínguez, R. (2021). Teachers’ Knowledge Regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Systematic Review. Sustainability, 13(9), 5097. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095097
Guthrie, W., Swinefird, L. B., Wetherby, A. y Lord, C. (2013). Comparison of DSM-IV and DSM-5 factor structure models for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 52(8), 797-805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2013.05.004
Hebron, J. y Humphrey, N. (2014). Exposure to Bullying Among Students with Autism Spectrum Conditions: A Multi-Informant Analysis of Risk and Protective factors. Autism, 18(6), 618-630. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361313495965
Hernández-Sampieri, R. y Mendoza-Torres, C. (2018). Metodología de la investigación: Las rutas cuantitativa, cualitativa y mixta [6a ed.]. McGraw-Hill.
Herrera Oesterheld, F. y Fuente-Alba, L. V. (2021). Infiltrados(as) en la academia: capacitismo en la universidad desde la experiencia de académicos(as) con discapacidad/diversidad funcional en Chile. Polis Latinoamericana, 20(59), 99-121.
Hill, L. (2014). ‘Some of it I haven’t Told Anybody else’: Using Photo Elicitation to Explore the Experiences of Secondary School Education from the Perspective of Young People with a Diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Educational & Child Psychology, 31(1), 79-89. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpsecp.2014.31.1.79
Howorth, S., Rooks-Ellis, D., Cobo-Lewis, A., Taylor, J. y Moody, C. (2023). Effects of an Abbreviated and Adapted Peers® Curriculum as part of a College Transition Program for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 46(2), 69-82. https://doi.org/10.1177/21651434221098411
Huang, Y., Hwang, Y., Arnold, S., Lawson, L., Richdale, A. y Trollor, J. (2022). Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Diagnosis Disclosure. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(12), 5301-5307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05384-z
Hull, L., Petrides, K., Allison, C., Smith, P., Baron-Cohen, S., Lai, M.-C. y Mandy, W. (2017). “Putting on my best normal”: Social camouflaging in adults with autism spectrum conditions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(8), 2519-2534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3166-5
Irani, E. (2019). The use of videoconferencing for qualitative research. Opportunities, challenges, and considerations. Clinical Nursing Research, 28(1), 3-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/1054773818803
Istuany, O. E. y Wood, R. (2020). Perspectives on Educational Inclusion from a Small Sample of Autistic Pupils in Santiago, Chile. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, 22(1), 210-220. https://doi.org/10.16993/sjdr.724
Izuno-Garcia, A., McNeel, M. M. y Fein, R. H. (2023). Neurodiversity in Promoting the Well-Being of Children on the Autism Spectrum. Child Care in Practice, 29(1), 54-67. https://doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2022.2126436
Jacobs, P., Beamish, W. y McKay, L. (2021). Please Listen to Us: Adolescent Autistic Girls Speak About Learning and Academic Success. Improving Schools, 24(3), 196-209. https://doi.org/10. 1177/1365480220973112
Johnson, J., Dodds, R. y Wood, J. (2024). Experiences of Autistic College Students in Higher Education and Their Relations with Faculty. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54(8), 2902-2916. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06017-3
Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous Child, 2, 217-250.
Kanner, L. (1951). The conception of wholes and parts in early infantile autism. American Journal of Psychiatry, 108(1), 23-26.
Kim, S. y Crowley, S. (2021). Understanding perceptions and experiences of autistic undergraduate toward disability support offices of their higher education institutions. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 113, 103956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2021.103956
King, B. H., Navot, N., Bernier, R. y Webb, S. J. (2016). Update on diagnostic classification in autism. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 27(2), 105-109.
Kois, L., Cox, J., Simmons, G., White, S. y Scott-Adams, V. (2023). University-Community Mental Health Training Collaboration: Teaching Criminal Legal Stakeholders About Autism. Psychiatric services, appips20220254. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.20220254
Kuder, S. y Accardo, A. (2018). What Works for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(3), 722-731. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3434-4
Lobar, S. (2016). DSM-V changes for autism spectrum disorder (ASD): Implications for diagnosis, management, and care coordination for children with ASDs. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 30(4), 359-365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2015.09.005
Lublin, J. (2024). Self-determination skills of students with autism in postsecondary settings. International Journal of Special Education, 39(1), 88-98. https://doi.org/10.52291/ijse.2024.39.9
MacLeod, A., Lewis, A. y Robertson, C. (2013). Why should I be like bloody Rain Man?!” Navigating the autistic identity. British Journal of Special Education, 40(1), 41-49. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12015
Mandy, W., Charman, T. y Skuse, D. (2012). Testing the construct validity of proposed criteria for DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51, 41-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2011.10.013
Mandy, W., Murin, M., Baykaner, O., Staunton, S., Cobb, R., Hellriegel, J., … y Skuse, D. (2016). Easing the transition to secondary education for children with autism spectrum disorder: An evaluation of the Systemic Transition in Education Programme for Autism Spectrum Disorder (STEP-ASD). Autism, 20(5), 580-590. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361315598892
Mcpeake, E., Lamore, K., Boujut, E., El Khoury, J., Pellenq, C., Plumet, M-H. y Cappe, E. (2023). “I just need a little more support”: A thematic analysis of autistic students’ experience of university in France. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 105, 102172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102172
Monk, R., Whitehouse, A. J. O. y Waddington, H. (2022). The use of language in autism research. Trends in Neuroscience, 45(11), 791-793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2022.08.009
Muyor Rodríguez, J. (2019). Nuevos significados de la discapacidad: De la igualdad de capacidades a la igualdad de derechos. Acciones e Investigaciones Sociales, 39, 33-55.
Nicolaidis, C. (2012). What can physicians learn from the neurodiversity movement? Virtual Mentor, 14(6), 503-510.
Pahnke, J., Jansson-Fröjmark, M., Andersson, G., Bjureberg, J., Jokinen, J., Bohman, B. y Lundgren, T. (2022). Acceptance and commitment therapy for autistic adults: A randomized controlled pilot study in a psychiatric outpatient setting. Autism, 27(5), 1461-476. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221140749
Pereverzeva, D., Tyushkevich, S. y Braginets, E. (2021). The Adaptation of Academic Skills Assessment Tool for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism and Developmental Disorders, 19(4), 15-23. https://doi.org/10.17759/autdd.2021190402
Petersson-Bloom, L. y Holmqvist, M. (2022). Strategies in Supporting Inclusive Education for Autistic Students – a Systematic Review of Qualitative Research Results. Autism & Developmental Language Impairments, 7, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1177/23969415221123429
Sasson, N. y Morrison, K. (2019). First impressions of adults with autism improve with diagnostic disclosure and increased autism knowledge of peers. Autism, 23(1), 50-59.
Solis-Grant, M. J., Bretti-López, M. J., Espinoza-Parçet, C., Pérez-Villalobos, C., Rodríguez-Núñez, I., Pincheira-Martínez, C. y Sepúlveda-Carrasco, C. (2023). Inclusion in the university: Who assumes responsibility? A qualitative study. PLoS One, 18(1), e0280161. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280161
Spain, D., Sin, J., Chalder, T., Murphy, D. y Happé, F. (2015). Cognitive behaviour therapy for adults with autism spectrum disorders and psychiatric co-morbidity: A review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 9, 151-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2014.10.019
Stacey, T.-L., Froude, E., Trollor, J. y Foley, K.-R. (2018). Leisure participation and satisfaction in autistic adults and neurotypical adults. Autism, 23(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/136236131879125
Syriopolou-Delli, C., Sarri, K., Papaefstathiou, E., Fillou, A-E. y Gkiolnta, E. (2024). Educational Programs Supporting Higher Education Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review. Trends in Higher Education, 3(3), 710-724. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu3030040
Tan, D., Rabuka, M., Haar, T. y Pellicano, E. (2024). ‘It’s a symbolic violence’: Autistic people’s experiences of discrimination. Autism, 28(6), 1344-1356. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613231219744
Thompson-Hodgetts, S., Labonte, C., Mazumder, R. y Phelan, S. (2020). Helpful or harmful? A scoping review of perceptions and outcomes of autism diagnostic disclosure to others. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 77, 101598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101598
Van Hees, V., Moyson, T. y Roeyers, H. (2015). Higher Education Experiences of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Challenges, Benefits and Support Needs. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 1673-1688. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2324-2
Vannucchi, G., Masi, G., Toni, C., Dell’Osso , L., Marazziti, D. y Perugi, G.(2014). Clinical features, developmental course, and psychiatric comorbidity of adult autism spectrum disorders. CNS Spectrums: The International Journal of Neuropsychiatric Medicine, 19(2), 157-164. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1092852913000941
Waisman, T., Williams, Z. J., Cage, E., Santhanam, S. P., Magiati, I., Dwyer, P., Stockwell, K. M., Kofner, B., Brown, H., Davidson, D., Herrell, J., Shore, S. M., Caudel, D., Gurbuz, E. y Gillespie-Lynch, K. (2023). Learning from the experts: Evaluating a participatory autism and universal design training for university educators. Autism, 27(2), 356-370. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221097207
Wehman, P., Schall, C., Carr, S., Targett, P., West, M. y Cifu, G. (2014). Transition from school to adulthood for youth with autism spectrum disorder: What we know and what we need to know. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 25(1), 30-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044207313518071
Wertz, F. J. (2015). Phenomenology: Methods, historical development, and applications in psychology. En J. Martin, J. Sugarman y K. L. Slaney (Eds.), The Wiley handbook of theoretical and philosophical psychology: Methods, approaches, and new directions for social sciences (pp. 85-101). Wiley Blackwell.
White, S. W., Elias, R., Salinas, C. E., Capriola, N., Conner, C. M., Asselin, S. B., Miyazaki, Y., Mazefsky, C. A., Howlin, P. y Getzel, E. E. (2016). Students with autism spectrum disorder in college: Results from a preliminary mixed methods needs analysis. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 56, 29-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2016.05.010
Wing, L. y Gould, J. (1979). Severe impairments of social interaction and associated abnormalities in children: epidemiology and classification. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 9, 11-29. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01531288
Wolpe, S. (2024). Promoting Success in College: A Scoping Review of Autistic Students’ Postsecondary Education Experiences. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-024-00448-z
Zazzi, H. y Faragher, R. (2018). Visual clutter’ in the Classroom: Voices of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 64(3), 212-224. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2018.1468619
Descargas
Derechos de autor 2026 Revista Colombiana de Educación

Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial 4.0.





















