While approximately 15-20% of the world’s population exhibits some form of neurodiversity – and 30% of adults under 30 years old identify as neurodivergent – this community has been traditionally underserved by the structures of higher education.

Thankfully, this is changing. 

Institutions are increasingly recognizing and celebrating neurodiversity, understanding that students with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and other cognitive differences benefit from universal design, tailored accommodations, inclusive resources, and holistic support to learn, connect, and thrive.

By adopting a proactive, campus-wide approach rooted in universal design principles—removing barriers and enhancing accessibility—colleges can better support neurodiverse students while enriching the experience for all students.

The Growing Case for Inclusivity

“The importance of understanding neurodiverse students and educating ourselves about the community is so much larger and more prevalent than people realize,” said Amanda Jean Babcock, PhD, Associate Director for Faculty Outreach and Community Education, Center for Disability and Access at the University of Utah, in our latest webinar. “As diagnosis and awareness grow, we need to stop treating neurodiversity as an outlier and recognize that this spectrum of cognition is part of our default student body.”

Despite this increasing awareness, many institutions still rely on reactive accommodations rather than inclusive design. A common example is requiring students to self-identify and navigate complex systems to access support services—a process that can be overwhelming for any student, let alone those with executive functioning challenges.

Moving Beyond the Classroom: A Holistic Approach

Supporting neurodiverse students requires more than accessible classroom resources. It involves rethinking systems, spaces, and communication across the entire campus.

Advocate for Tailored Mental Health Resources

Ensure mental health services are designed with neurodiverse students in mind. This includes providing therapists and coaches trained in supporting neurodiverse students, flexible appointment options, and proactive mental health screenings. Peer support networks and campus advocacy groups can also be a valuable resource for fostering connection, reducing stigma, and ensuring that neurodiverse students have an ongoing voice in advising on the resources and supports that will be more relevant and meaningful to them.

Streamline Cross-Departmental Communication

Improve collaboration between counseling, accessibility services, health services, and academic advising to prevent students from falling through the cracks. A centralized platform for sharing concerns and coordinating care can help ensure neurodiverse students are set up to succeed as well as address potential crises before they escalate.

Create Sensory-Friendly Living and Social Spaces

Design campus environments that consider sensory needs. Incorporate quiet study areas, flexible lighting, and smaller social events to create more inclusive spaces. Train residence life staff to recognize and support neurodiverse students.

Simplify Access to Support Services

Minimize bureaucracy by making it easier for students to access accommodations and mental health services without extensive documentation. Proactive outreach and clear, streamlined processes reduce the burden on students to self-advocate and navigate complex processes to access reasonable accommodations.

Leverage Technology for Accessibility

Promote digital tools that adhere to best practices in digital accessibility and aid time management, organization, and learning. Use user-friendly platforms with intuitive navigation, consistent deadlines, and options like alternative text for images. Providing digital access to mental health services, classroom materials, among other resources empowers students to better manage their academic responsibilities.

Advantages of a Universal Design Approach

Originally rooted in architecture, universal design focuses on creating environments accessible to the broadest range of users. In higher education, this philosophy means designing policies, services, and spaces that accommodate needs proactively, rather than retrofitting solutions after barriers arise.

As Dr. Babcock noted, “A lot of reasons why neurodiverse students have struggled, historically, is because their ways of thinking haven’t been considered.”

By shifting this mindset and acting proactively to support neurodiverse students, institutions can reduce stigma, create multiple pathways to success, improve mental health, and drive greater overall student achievement.

Proactively addressing neurodiverse students’ needs

Supporting neurodiverse students is a shared responsibility that extends beyond individual accommodations. Embedding universal design principles into campus systems and operations allows higher education institutions to foster environments where all students feel valued, connected, and empowered to thrive.

“Accessibility should be a consideration from the very start of a process.” – Dr. Babcock

When it comes to making the changes, Cindy Poore-Pariseau, PhD, Director of Disability Services at Rutgers Health, Rutgers University, reminds leaders that you “you don’t have to sit down one day or one weekend or one week and revamp everything, Just know that every small change that’s made will have a positive impact on a variety of student populations.” 

From building accessible mental health services to streamlining infrastructure that links counseling, accommodations, and academic support, institutions can reduce barriers, enhance inclusivity, and create a culture where every student has equitable access to success.

If you missed our recent webinar Supporting Neurodivergent Students on Campus, watch the recording here.