Too often, autistic students and those with mental health needs struggle within higher education, often dropping out of courses because they do not receive the informed support that would help them succeed. The updated second edition of his manual addresses the provision of effective support via mentoring in order to build students' confidence and enable them to take contra, of their lives. Its aim is to help students maximise the opportunity provided through the mentoring and academic study skills hours available to them. In addition, the manual and the tools it contains provide a starting point for all mentors and support staff to help students navigate their way through what can be a very confusing, anxious and challenging time by providing key focal points for discussion and related activities. Beautifully illustrated, this unique publication is written for those with a neurodivergent perspective, and brings together ideas and activities tried and tested among an array of students. It encourages students to take control of mentoring and study skills sessions by signposting them to topics which they wish to address, while also providing a useful framework and resources for mentors and tutors in higher education. It includes clear information about what constitutes mentoring, as well as coverage of academic study skills, highlighting key points for attention and discussion. In particular, the manual addresses specific issues raised by many autistic individuals and those with mental health needs, and through its activities and resources, it provides a toolkit of coping strategies that can be tailored to individuals.

Finally, it covers elements of independent living with which many individuals struggle, and which have been raised in various forms by students with whom the author has worked. Following the success of the first edition of this book it was apparent that new chapters needed to be added to better reflect diversity and to acknowledge the prevalence of sexual violence on campus. With this in mind there are three new chapters: the first is on gender and explores issues such as identity, disclosure, pronouns, name change and transitioning. The second new chapter addresses issues experienced by many individuals from BAME communities, such as acceptance within their own culture language barriers, obtaining a diagnosis, tokenism and inclusion. The third additional chapter addresses sexual violence, whether it has happened prior to university or during studies and on or off campus. The resource is suitable for autistic students and those with mental health needs considering entering or already in higher, further or secondary education, mentors, academic skills workers, tutors, lecturers, autistic and mental health advocates, disability advisors and employers. Book jacket.