In Europe, neurodivergence has been used as a way to structure education and care for students and adults. However, it is a fairly recent term in America. What is it? Neurodivergence is having an atypical approach to sorting information, whether that be due to autism, dyslexia or even ADD/ADHD.
Allie Blain, a junior at Samford, said she was not diagnosed with ADHD until her freshman year of college. This meant she was not able to properly know her learning processes until after she graduated high school.
Samford faculty has been really supportive and helpful… They’ve all been super helpful to make sure I have the right accommodations.
Allie Blain
The term “neurodivergence” has been used more frequently due to adults, or students like Allie Blain, being tested later in life for things such as ADD/ADHD that may present obstacles to learning and working. The term is also being used more often as educators examine the best ways to lead classrooms with neurodiverse students.
Samford University counselor and Director of Counseling Services and Wellness Programs, Richard Yoakum, held a “Supporting Neurodiverse Students” seminar this past week for faculty and staff. Yoakum says he wanted to lead this seminar so others could “learn a few things about understanding students who might have autism, and also ADHD, and the ways that we can support them.”
