Embracing Neurodiversity In Higher Education

Neurodiverse students face multiple barriers to access and success in higher education settings. Individual attitudes, perspectives and knowledge are at the root of these barriers which include structural and systemic barriers created when there is a lack of awareness and/or acceptance of difference. Faculty, staff, service providers and administrators have varying roles to fulfill within the educational setting. All roles are instrumental in creating an environment which can either support or undermine neurodiverse students' opportunity to participate in and benefit from the college experience along with their neurotypical peers. This project has demonstrated that participation by faculty, staff, and students in an interactive seminar/workshop can raise awareness of the unique strengths and challenges faced by neurodiverse students in higher education. In turn, this experience should be one way that participants come to see the need and the possibilities to create a better academic and social environment for neurodiverse students and enhanced interactions with them by faculty, staff and other students alike.