Student Life on the Autism Spectrum: Exploring the Role of Student Housing in Experiences of Three Students

People on the autism spectrum may experience difficulties with social interactions. When living in student housing—be it purpose–built accommodations or a house multiple occupants—students share most spaces their housemates. This could lead to situations which they feel uncomfortable. In study reported here, we explored role of housing experiences three students (and housemates/proxies). Using participative methods including photovoice, walk–along interviews, and co–analysis (taking initial findings back participants), identified four concepts that offer in–depth insight into participants' experiences: independence, (not) feeling at home, finding rest avoiding stress, shared versus individual space. Zooming latter, spatial aspects contribute making life beyond more comfortable, can inform future work designing housing.