SEAHO Report - Summer 2023 - 26

Graphic 3:
You may not know if someone is Neurodivergent and it is not our job to diagnose anyone. What we
can do is support them and keep an understanding outlook. Sometimes Neurodivergent colleagues
don't even know they have a certain condition themselves. I was not aware I had ADHD until well
into my professional career.
Jenna DeLucca, a Davidson 2023 senior, shed some light on the struggle against stigma. She
said, " during my first year at Davidson I didn't have any accommodations, so I was basically a
Neurodivergent person trying to function as Neurotypical. " Jenna felt like she couldn't, or shouldn't,
get the help she needed but she advocated for herself and got accommodations after her first year.
She stated that getting proper accommodations vastly improved her life in many ways. Even though
it helped Jenna stay in school, she said many of her friends told her that she was " lucky " to get
extra time on tests and a single room. Jenna finished saying, " I've explained many times that my
accommodations help me function, there's a reason I have them. I wish someone would have told
me it was ok to seek help, use what you need. "
Accommodations
Many people still see accommodations as " special treatment " or " perks. " This is not the case
as official accommodations serve as support for the Neurodivergent to be able to function in an
equitable environment. They provide an opportunity to utilize the skills they have and not be seen as
less-than for not operating in a " typical " manner. Many students need and utilize accommodations;
that shouldn't stop once they get to the workplace. In our field of Higher Education, we emphasize
the development of students and strive to provide the care they need in the best ways we know how.
Why can't we strive to extend the same to our colleagues and ourselves?
Support for Neurodiversity and the Neurodivergent can come in many forms, but accommodations
are usually specific steps taken to ensure a fair work environment. Some examples include noise
canceling headphones, dedicated quiet workspaces, closed captioning, adjustable lighting, and
flexible work hours (including remote work). Those tools can support everyone in the workplace, and
they make a world of difference to those that really need them. If someone has accommodations,
it is not because they are getting special treatment. They are getting the support they need so that
they can contribute to the workplace without undue hardship. It is ok to ask for help and to seek out
accommodations when needed. Not every request can be met in the most ideal way, but we should
make efforts to support our Neurodivergent colleagues as it benefits everyone in the long run.
Other tools and tips for Neurodivergent people
The graphic below was also in the presentation from SEAHO and it is only a small sampling of the
things us Neurodivergent people can do to make the workplace more comfortable for ourselves.
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SEAHO Report - Summer 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SEAHO Report - Summer 2023