Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024
We'll be celebrating neurodiversity week from Monday 18 to Sunday 25 March 2024.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is about celebrating the strengths and talents of people with neurological differences. It is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions.
Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference.
Neurodivergence is often used as an umbrella term to include Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Autism, ADHD, Tourette Syndrome.
What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity refers to the different ways the brain can work, interpret and process information.
Most people are neurotypical, meaning that the brain functions and processes information in similar ways to most of the population. Often our environment and systems are designed for neurotypical people and therefore how neurodivergent people interact with them daily can be challenging.
Every condition covered under neurodivergence has its own set of challenges. These can include, but are not limited to:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Excessive stress
- Issues with timekeeping
- Maintaining a schedule
- Physical illnesses
Things to consider when supporting a neurodivergent person:
- Remember that no two people are the same and neurodivergence affects everyone differently
- We talk about specific neuro-differences, for example, Autism and Dyslexia, but an individual may experience more than one
- Every neurodivergent person has their own strengths and challenges, therefore support should be tailored to each individual and be designed to help build their confidence and self-esteem.
Events
14 March 2024, 12pm to 1.30pm - School of Business and Society EDI Forum are organising a Talk by Dr Josephine Go Jefferies on Neurodiversity at work
20 March 2024, 12pm to 3pm - Information Fair, Spring Lane Building
21 March 2024 11am to 12.30pm - Panel Discussion ‘Neurodiversity within HE’ - ATB/042 - Seebohm Rowntree Building. See further details and book your place
Internal resources and information
Reading materials
- Lived experience of dyslexia: Olivia, is a member of staff at the University of York and has written this reflective piece about their lived experience of dyslexia. For internal use only (login required)
- Blog post: Working in HE and autism: Richard, a member of staff at the University of York and has written a blog about his experiences of working in HE before and after a diagnosis of autism.
Students
Staff
Staff and students
- Coloured overlays are available to borrow from the library help desk and pastel-coloured paper is available for printing in the library if you find reading from a coloured background easier
- The Learning Technology Practical Guide Accessibility pages provide an overview of digital tools at York which many neurodiverse staff and students find helpful. These tools enable you to work in different ways and include functions that can allow you to screen mask in various colours, with or without a reading bar, use a screen reader if you prefer texts read aloud or use mind maps to approach your planning. These tools are available to all staff and students at the university.
Peer support
Staff
Students
Talks to watch again
- Dyslexia superpower: Moving from disability through learning difference to advantage - Nigel Lockett
- Don’t Stop: Negotiating Autism and Academia by Dr Jason Arday, Durham University
External resources and information
Reading materials
- Navigating neurodiversity in science - NCAS: People who are neurodivergent can contribute in distinctive ways to science and the scientific community says Kevin Cowtan.
- Neurodiverse or Neurodivergent? It’s more than just grammar
Organisations
Events
There is a schedule of free events being organised by Neurodiversity Celebration Week, see further details and how to book.
Resources
- Neurodiversity Celebration Week has compiled some useful free resources
- Neurodiversity - everything you need to know - Health Assured