A student-led group at Flinders is running online focus groups and interviews to better understand the experiences of neurodivergent students. Your voice can help shape initiatives that support the success and wellbeing of students like you.
A student-led group at Flinders is looking to hear from neurodivergent students—or those who think they might be—about their university experiences.
They’re running casual online focus groups and individual chats to better understand how to support the success and wellbeing of neurodivergent students.
If you’d like to share your perspective, scan the QR code on the flyer or click here to leave your expression of interest.
It’s a student-to-student conversation—not a formal research project—and a great opportunity to have your voice heard.
See below the flyer for some information provided by the students on ‘how do I know if I am, or someone I know, is neurodivergent?‘.
What does neurodiversity mean and why does it matter?
Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one “right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.
The reason for promoting neurodiversity is to help promote the idea that people experience and interact with the world in many ways, especially with thinking, learning, and behaving. There is no ‘right’ way of doing all of this, and differences are not deficits.
While the word itself refers to the diversity of all people, it is often used in the area of neurological and developmental conditions. Primarily autism spectrum disorder, (ASD) as well as ADHD, or other learning disabilities (Nicole Baumer & Julia Frueh, 2021).
How do I know if I am, or someone I know, is neurodivergent?
There is no medical definition of what it means to be neurodivergent: But people who identify as neurodivergent typically have one or more of some following conditions: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette Syndrome, Social Anxiety, Sensory Processing Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Mental Health Conditions, and more (Cleveland Clinic, 2025.)
As you can see, there is quite a broad range of conditions underneath the neurodivergent umbrella. If you believe you have any of these symptoms, you may visit your GP in order to gain advice on how to get a formal diagnosis and support. If you are unsure on this, there are plenty of websites online in which you can answer questionnaires to check the various symptoms of these conditions. Some people are unable to afford the high costs of official diagnosis and may refer to themselves as ‘self-diagnosed’. It’s important to be understanding towards these people as well: They know their own brain far more than we do, after all.
How do we support neurodivergent people?
There are many accommodations that can be made to support neurodivergent people. For example, low-light, low-noise can help those with sensitivity issues. Easier to read fonts, study assistance, one-on-one help and other accommodations are just some examples of how workplaces and organizations can accommodate neurodivergent people’s needs so they can flourish.
For you as an individual, it can simply mean being more open-minded and understanding. Respect, empathy, and patience go a long way. Overall, remember, everyone is different in their way of thinking, and differences are not deficits.