This structured PDF presentation (full lesson) is designed for individuals with ASD and those with social communication differences. It supports transition planning for university by teaching practical sensory regulation strategies for managing sensory overload on a university campus, including why university support differs from school support, what university accommodations and disability services actually offer, and how to balance sensory needs with building social connections during the transition to university life.

What is covered:

• What Is Sensory Overload — how sensory processing differences lead to overload, and where it is most likely to occur on campus
• Why University Feels Different From School — the loss of automatic support such as case managers, SENCOs, and EHCPs, and the shift to self-directed support through the Disability Service
• Why This Can Be Harder for Individuals with ASD — including heightened sensory sensitivity and difficulty filtering background input
• The Universal Struggle — reassurance that sensory overload during the transition to university is a widely shared experience, not a unique vulnerability
• What Sensory Overload Can Look Like — recognising the early warning signs before they build
• Worked Examples — the lecture hall, and the dining hall
• What Support Universities Offer — Disability Services, sensory rooms, autism mentors, accessible accommodation, and exam adjustments
• Balancing Sensory Needs With Social Connection — a hybrid approach to avoiding isolation while building university friendships
• Practice Scenarios and Generalised Feedback — realistic campus scenarios with feedback
• Practical Tips and Key Takeaways

Suitable for:

• Individuals with ASD and those with social communication differences aged 16+
• Students preparing for the transition to university or college, or currently studying
• 1:1 sessions or small group work
• SEN specialists, instructors, support workers, transition coordinators, and parents

Format: PDF presentation
Session time: Approximately 40 minutes

All content uses clear, literal, and neutral language throughout. Resources are universally applicable, with no political, ideological, or religious content.

SLEducation — Where rehearsal meets real life…

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