How does the built environment affect you? Autistic students' experiences of University lecture theatres and teaching spaces.

Background: Autistic individuals often experience the sensory world differently and it is unclear how this impacts on the learning experiences of autistic university students, specifically. It is plausible that differences in sensory reactivity, such as hyperreactivity (e.g. being overwhelmed by overhead lights), affects autistic students’ ability to engage with teaching. Currently, there is little empirical research exploring autistic students’ experiences of teaching spaces, in particular in lecture theatres. The aim of this study was to explore autistic university students’ lived experiences of teaching spaces and how aspects of these spaces affect them.Methods: We conducted a qualitative study comprising one-to-one semi-structured interviews with 10 autistic students from three UK universities. Participants were asked about the aspects of teaching spaces that affect them, the effect these aspects have, and the adaptations they would consider helpful. Data were analysed using Reflective Thematic Analysis. Results: We identified 3 themes: Aspects of Teaching Spaces, Outcomes, and Coping Strategies and Adaptations, each of which contained sub-themes. Aspects of Teaching Spaces included sensory aspects, people, seating, screens, and predictability and control. Outcomes included physical symptoms (e.g. headaches, nausea), mood (e.g. anxiety) and cognition (e.g. attention). Coping and Adaptations included personal coping strategies (e.g. wearing headphones, dressing in layers) and environmental modifications (e.g. have dimmer switches). Conclusions: This study is the first to establish that the built environment of university teaching spaces affects autistic students’ learning experiences. It identifies both personal and environmental modifications and adaptations that could be adopted to support university students’ learning experiences. Future research should explore how differently adapted teaching spaces can best influence autistic students' wellbeing to increase positive learning experiences.