Anirudh Subramaniam serves as the head of Ohio State’s Autistic Students Union, a vibrant community created by and for students with autism. The union aims to foster a supportive environment where individuals can connect, learn, and grow together.
“People have done this before,” said Subramaniam. “People have done this at the University of Pittsburgh. And what I said to myself, ‘Why can’t I replicate that experiment over here?'”
This initiative provides more than just a social platform; it also opens doors to valuable friendships and employment opportunities for its members. The club is designed to be a space where students can build meaningful connections and support each other on their academic journeys.
“It’s to form a community that we can all be friends, and we also have established partnerships with JPMorgan and Chase in order to help give our members of the club future employment and summer internships,” Subramaniam said.
Beyond social interactions, the Autistic Students Union emphasizes educational equality and aims to elevate the voices of students with autism. The organization seeks to promote understanding and awareness of the unique challenges that these students face in higher education.
“We get to sort of create social change by proving that we don’t need to be silent,” he explained. “We can advocate for ourselves and ensure that we are able to attain the same level of tertiary education as other students.”
A striking statistic highlights the importance of such advocacy: According to a study by the National Autism Indicators Report, only 34% of autistic college students complete their degrees within six years, in stark contrast to 60% of their neurotypical peers. This disparity underscores the critical need for targeted support systems.
“The thing is that the needs of neurodiverse students were not really being met,” Subramaniam explained. “And even though we have great disability clubs on campus, they only seem to cater toward more physical disabilities, ignoring the silent minority of neurodivergent people.”
Subramaniam’s passion for this cause is deeply personal. As a neurodivergent student himself, he recognizes the challenges that students with autism face in pursuing their education. He understands that creating a supportive community can make a significant difference in their academic success.
“As a neurodivergent student,” he said, “the formation of this community sort of helps me and other students go through college and get a degree for ourselves to help us move along in the world.”
Subramaniam is committed to ensuring that this community thrives long after he graduates. He believes in the transformative power of support and connection, stating, “I feel like if I can build this community and make it last, even after I graduated and move on, I feel like I would have accomplished something by ensuring that my fellow neurodivergent people get a sustainable quality of life, by ensuring that there’s a community for them that will always support them and welcome them with open arms whenever they need it.”
The Autistic Students Union at Ohio State was founded in January of 2022 and has already grown to nearly 200 members. This growth speaks volumes about the need for such a community and the impact it has on students with autism, providing them with resources, connections, and a sense of belonging.
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