Neurodiversity

How does neurodivergence affect studying? Here, you'll find information, guidance, and support to help you navigate university life.

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What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodivergent describes a person whose brain functions significantly differently from that of a neurotypical person. This can be caused by accidents or illnesses, but neurodivergence is usually innate. Everyday tasks can present major challenges for neurodiverse people, as our world is not designed to meet their needs.

Neurodiversity should not be seen or treated as a “disease” or “abnormality.” On the contrary, it describes the natural diversity of our neurological development.

MyNeurodiversity: Understanding Neurodiversity

Types of Neurodiversity

When people talk about neurodiversity, most only think of autism, but it is actually a much broader spectrum covered by this term.
Important: Neurodivergent individuals are often affected by more than one form of neurodivergence.

Autism Spectrum – The autism spectrum is very broad. Many individuals have learned to “mask” their specific needs in order to live a largely typical life. Others require support and assistance throughout their lives. Some symptoms of autism include:
- Difficulty reading facial expressions and engaging in small talk
- Problems accessing one’s own emotions
- Challenges in understanding or empathizing with the emotions of others
- Delayed language development
- Difficulty understanding irony and humor
AD(H)D (Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder) – A neurological condition in which attention, concentration, and decision-making abilities (among others) are impaired. Some symptoms include:
- Lack of a perceptual filter, leading to sensory overload (everything is perceived, whether important or not)
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hyperfocus when genuinely interested (to the point of neglecting sleep and food)
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsivity
- Risk-taking behavior
- Forgetfulness
Dyslexia – A reading and spelling disorder involving difficulties recognizing letters, understanding written words, and/or writing them correctly.
Dyscalculia – A math disorder characterized by difficulties in arithmetic thinking.
Dyspraxia – A developmental coordination disorder involving impairments in gross and fine motor skills; affected individuals may think more slowly and struggle with everyday tasks despite having normal intelligence.
Synesthesia – A condition in which different senses are interconnected, for example, individuals may associate sounds with colors or numbers with tastes, among other experiences.
Tic Disorders – Tics are sudden and involuntary muscle contractions, movements, or sounds. Individuals cannot control or regulate their occurrence. The most severe and well-known form is Tourette syndrome.
Giftedness – Individuals with an IQ above 130 are considered gifted. They can quickly recognize logical connections, process and retain information efficiently, and are often highly curious. However, they also tend to become bored quickly and may feel easily underchallenged.
Highly Sensitive Person – HSP Describes individuals who react more sensitively to their environment. They are often perceived as particularly empathetic and caring due to their strong responsiveness to others’ emotions. However, this heightened sensitivity can also lead to feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated quickly.

How can neurodivergence affect studying and working life?

Neurodivergent individuals have needs that our society is not designed to accommodate.

For students on the spectrum, it can be difficult to concentrate in lecture halls, to work and study in loud or crowded environments, or to make friends among their peers.
In everyday work life, it can be challenging for those affected to work in large offices and to interact frequently with other people.

However, they often bring “out-of-the-box” thinking, creative approaches to problem-solving, and can offer in-depth specialized knowledge.

It is important not to forget: neurodivergence is not a flaw, but a part of our society. Many individuals adapt to societal norms on a daily basis and suppress their own needs in order to “function.”

It should not be up to the individual to adapt, but rather the responsibility of organizations to create a neuro-inclusive environment.

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