On October 8, 2024, a workshop on “Neurodiversity and University” took place at TU Dresden, providing important insights into the study situation of neurodivergent students. The event, organized by the research project AutARK, the project Neuroqueer@TUD, and conducted by Lars Bönsch, attracted about 20 interested participants and was held parallel to the first-year introductory week in the computer science building.
The workshop comprehensively highlighted the challenges and potentials of neurodivergent students, with a particular focus on students with ADHD and autism. The event was divided into several core areas: an introduction to neurodiversity, practical self-help tips for students with ADHD and autism, and the presentation of research findings.
Key findings showed that neurodivergent students at TU Dresden often face specific challenges. These include difficulties in accessing compensatory measures, problems in finding study-relevant information, and occasional conflicts with administration and examiners. At the same time, the importance of the university environment was emphasized, which many affected individuals perceive as particularly positive.
The basis of the event was interviews with 16 neurodivergent students conducted as part of the Neurodivergent@TU Dresden and Neuroqueer@TUD projects.
A main goal of the workshop was to identify action potentials for a more inclusive university. It became clear that raising awareness, understanding, and removing barriers are crucial.
The workshop materials, including presentation slides and scripts on neurodiversity, ADHD, and autism, were made available online. They are intended to serve as a resource for multipliers at the university and contribute to raising awareness.