NOURISH STUDENTS’ PASSIONS

Experiencing the education system as aneurodivergent student can make students feel lesser,soit’s important to maintain afocus on their achievements. Asingle-minded fixation by the institution on exam results is bad for all students, whereas acelebratoryapproach keeps student morale high and ensures that all students feel welcome.

University can also be agreat place to feed astudent’scuriosity For example, one of the characteristic features of autism is ahyperfocus on certain topics. Universities are places for learning, so it is important to support students as they learn, even if this takes unconventional forms.

City University of London offers an exemplaryapproach. The university provides specialist “Neurodiversity Tutors” who are trained to proactively provide tailored academic supportfor each student’sneeds. They are also available to supportthe transition to university and address other SpLD considerations, including supporting undiagnosed neurodiverse students to get referrals.

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Everystudent is entitled to the opportunity to broaden their mind, develop their skills, and make lifelong friends at university For too long, neurodivergent students have been excluded from these opportunities –but there is cause for optimism. As the universities offered as examples in this article show,institutionsare experimenting with exciting new ways to make sure that neurodiverse students welcome.