Neurodiverse Universities & Initiatives

On this page you will find a list of Universities making waves with initiatives to support the neurodiverse campus community.

Find the inspiration to start a wave at your campus!

List of Neurodiversity-Friendly Colleges

Neurodiversity in College

Students with learning differences graduating from high school have more educational options than ever before! We can help by assessing their college readiness, finding the best-fit programs and supports and helping teens complete their applications. On this site, you will find an extensive list of “neurodiversity-friendly colleges”.

California State University, Chico

Neurodiversity and disability taskforce

Our taskforce is made up of Chico State student representatives, staff and faculty who advocate in identifying the needs for change on-campus. We embrace our neurodivergent and disability communities and strive to bring awareness and acceptance for an inclusive and welcoming campus.

Neurodiversity & Higher Education Teaching Guides

Within the context of this teaching guide, we will focus on college students who are autistic, have ADHD, or have learning disabilities. However, neurodiversity is a topic that continues to evolve. The research, classroom strategies, and resources here are intended to provide a starting point for both improved practices and conversations on how we as a Chico State community can improve.

ACADEMIC COACHING PROGRAM

"Disability is an opportunity for innovation." - Haben Girma, Disability Rights Lawyer & Activist

Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) at CSU Chico provides an academic coaching program designed to increase retention, graduation rates, and the quality of the college experience for students. Sessions focus on skill development in personal and academic organization, time management, exam preparation, effective communication, utilizing campus resources, sustainable self-care, self-advocacy, and maintaining healthy relationships.

We use a multi-disciplinary team approach and view academic coaching as a collaboration between the student participant, coach, accessibility advisor, faculty members, and staff within various student services. In this sense, each student who receives coaching services is equipped with their own coaching team focused on promoting the individual’s academic success.

The team fosters an inclusive and welcoming environment for all and provides a unique, student-centered approach. Our coaches are trained in diversity and inclusion and work with each student to address their individual needs within the context of their own lives without bias or judgment. Coaches are trained in cultural competency and how to work with students with a variety of learning differences. Further, we focus on fostering self-care, self-compassion, and self-advocacy, going beyond academia to prepare students for lifelong learning and self-sufficiency.

NASA’s Neurodiversity Network (N3) (California State University, Sonoma)

NASA’s Neurodiversity Network (N3) aims to broaden participation in NASA programs to include autistic and other learners with neurological differences. As part of NASA’s Science Activation Program, which is composed of teams across the nation to help learners of all ages and abilities do science, N3 will use specific learning modules to support autistic learners with the social and technical skills needed for successful STEM careers. Sonoma State receives near $5 million from NASA to engage autistic learners in STEM

Principal Investigator: Lynn Cominsky at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California

Equity and Inclusion: Neurodiversity Initiative (University of Massachusetts Amherst)

Our goal is to provide comprehensive support and career exploration opportunities to UMass students with a broad range of disabilities, including those with autism, ADHD, LD, and anxiety. Our focus is on providing opportunities and building upon student strengths, reinforcing their path to success. A “Neurodiversity Working Group” brings leaders from across campus together regularly to discuss needs, share ideas, and implement programs to forward this mission.

Center for Neurodiversity (Landmark College)

The Center for Neurodiversity aims to advance an understanding of the benefits of a neurodiverse society.

The Neurodiversity Initiative (William & Mary)

The Neurodiversity Initiative seeks first to serve our campus community and ultimately to be a model for other campuses. The Neurodiversity Working Group, composed of administrators, alumni, community partners, faculty, staff, and students, organizes campus events and programs in support of the Neurodiversity Initiative…At William & Mary we are committed to educating our campus community about brain differences, and to supporting and cultivating an appreciation of the many kinds of diversity we can nurture at our historic institution.

ENGAGE (University of North Texas)

UNT ENGAGE (Embracing Neurodivergent Groups in Academics and Gainful Employment)

ENGAGE serves neurodivergent students enrolled at UNT with reaching their academic and vocational goals through person-centered planning and individualized services. Students participate in assessment and planning meetings to identify personal, academic, and vocational goals. ENGAGE staff support and guide students to reach those goals through weekly meetings, workshops, and referrals. ENGAGE is dedicated to helping UNT’s neurodivergent students in adjusting to university life and turning their degrees into careers.

ENGAGE is part of a larger Neurodiversity Initiative at UNT, which includes additional student support services such as cohort housing, social skills and social support groups, and counseling.

Center for Neurodiversity, Learning, and Wellness (CNLW) (University of La Verne)

Offers a multi-faceted program of educational services, professional training, research, and community engagement intended to promote a greater understanding of neurological diversity in our culture.

We provide an ongoing schedule of community events, classes and private sessions that directly empower students of all ages with the cognitive, social, and emotional tools they need to become powerful self-advocates. We also offer a broad range of workshops and certificate training programs that help professional practitioners increase their ability to serve and include students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, behavioral challenges and other neurological differences in all aspects of society.

Whether your interest in neurodiversity is personal or professional, we invite you to learn more about what we have to offer. The CNLW is a program of the University of La Verne LaFetra College of Education.

Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (University of Missouri)

Check out “Neurodiversity & Entrepreneurship. Education, Inspiration, Facilitation” in the October 2019- January 2020 Quarterly report.

Read the full article here

“…to explore how to educate and empower neurodiverse individuals to gain control over their future through entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is an ideal way for neurodiverse individuals to both capitalize on their distinctive strengths and avoid the challenges of having to "fit" within a typical job.”

“…to deliver an 8- week entrepreneurship class to 6-10 neurodiverse high school students. One of the main goals of this class is that students will be better able to understand how neurodiversity can be beneficial in creative and problem solving endeavors and how their own unique strengths may be further developed through entrepreneurship. “

Stanford Neurodiversity Project

The Stanford Neurodiversity Project offers a free, comprehensive Neurodiverse Student Support Program (NSSP). Incoming freshmen have the opportunity to move in early through our Neurodiversity Transition Orientation.

Our Key Objectives

Establish a culture that treasures the strengths of neurodiverse individual
Empower neurodiverse individuals to build their identity and enhance their long-term skills of daily living throughout the lifespan
Attract talented neurodiverse individuals to study and work at Stanford
Train talented individuals to work with the neurodiverse population
Disseminate the Stanford Neurodiversity Model locally, nationally, and internationally
Maximize the potential of neurodiversity

The Olitsky Family Foundation Career Readiness Program | Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)

Carnegie Mellon University is dedicated to providing a culture of inclusion and breaking down barriers that inhibit our students, of all needs and abilities, from reaching their full personal, academic and professional potential.

The goal of The Olitsky Family Foundation Career Readiness Program is to break down the barriers-of-entry for students with emotional and cognitive differences in their career-search process. The program takes a unique, 3-pronged approach by engaging our 1) students, 2) local campus community and 3) employer partners in various events to achieve long-term, sustainable success for students.

lifePATH®: A Four-Year Pathway

A post-secondary educational program for neurodiverse students. lifePATH®'s focus is to assist students as they: develop independence, exercise self-determination, increase knowledge of college-level academic expectations, practice the social expectations necessary for success in the adult world, and engage in opportunities for career exploration.

Program Options

Occupational & Life Skills Associates Degree - The Occupational and Life Skills is a four-year associate degree program developed for neurodiverse students in the lifePATH® program utilizing a cohort model. Students pursuing the OLSA take courses designed to enhance their academic, career, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills. While the OLSA does not focus on a specific industry, its purpose is to help students develop transferable skills that can be applied to any industry.
Foundations Continuing Education Program - lifePATH® foundations is a two-year noncredit program offering select foundational classes included in the OLSA degree. The foundation program provides students with the opportunity to learn academic strategies; grow and practice social skills; and explore and develop career skills. lifePATH® Foundations courses are taken through the Lone Star College Continuing Education Department. Students will not receive credit for these courses but will receive a certificate of completion.

The Peer Mental Health Advocate (PMHA) model was developed by Project LETS -- based on core foundations and principles of Certified Peer Recovery Specialist curricula, and Intentional Peer Support.

On Sunday, December 6th, 2015, Project LETS at Brown University officially launched the PMHA program, a peer support service for students living with mental health issues/mental illness, disability, trauma, and/or neurodivergence (or, for students who just need some support -- no labels necessary).

PMHAs are students who have lived experience of mental illness, trauma, disability, and/or neurodivergence, and work one-on-one with students in long-term peer support and advocacy partnerships. READ MORE HERE