The Basics of Neurodiversity & Disability

What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for dyspraxia, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyscalculia, autistic spectrum, and Tourette syndrome.

Under the Equality Act 2010 Link opens in a new windowthese are considered to be a disability). It’s estimated that roughly 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent. Meaning their brain functions, learns and processes information differently than others.

Click here to learn more about neurodiversity

Click here to learn more about neurodiversity terms

Click here to view a YouTube video on what neurodiversity means

Read about neurodiversity and executive functioning

The make up of Neurodiversity

Below we have included some examples of neurodiversity including key traits/experiences and support available. Please remember that every single person is different and while we do try to list some key traits/experiences, each person will have a unique experience.

What is a Disability?

The Equality Act states, "you’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities".

Models of Disability

Social Model

The Social Model of Disability - a way of viewing the world, developed by disabled people. The social model helps us recognise barriers that make life harder for disabled people. Removing these barriers creates equality and offers disabled people more independence, choice and control. Read MoreLink opens in a new window

Medical Model

Learn more about the models of disability (click here) Link opens in a new window

The Social Model of Disability Factsheet – Inclusion LondonExternal link (Opens in a new tab or window)) Link opens in a new window

ASD

Autism Spectrum ConditionLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window

"What are some experiences associated with Autism?"

Differences in social communication
Difficulties with executive functioning (eg. planning, organisation, breaking down tasks, remembering to attend appointments)
Focused interests and hobbies
Meltdowns and/or shutdowns
Repetitive movements and behaviour

(descriptions by Autism at Warwick)

Read here to read what autistic students wish you knewLink opens in a new window

Click here for session slides on Inclusive teaching for autistic and neurodivergent students - by Sophie Kitching, founder and ex-President of Autism at Warwick, current Disabled Students' Officer

Michael Cavaliere, current President of Autism at Warwick from the Warwick Social Inclusion 2022 conference.

Link opens in a new window Click here to find out more

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be categorised under SpLDs but also under other disability categories.

In most cases it affects people's concentration, with particular difficulty commencing and switching tasks, together with a very short attention span and high levels of distractibility.

It may also impact on effective use of feedback and listening skills, hyperactivity, acting impulsively, having difficulty foreseeing outcomes or planning ahead and be noticeably restless and fidgety.

Find Out MoreLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window

Dyscalculia

DyscalculiaLink opens in a new window

Dyscalculia is a learning difficulty involving the most basic aspect of arithmetical skills.

The difficulty lies in the reception, comprehension, or production of quantitative and spatial information.

Students with dyscalculia may have difficulty in understanding simple number concepts, lack an intuitive grasp of numbers and have problems learning number facts and procedures.

These can relate to basic concepts such as telling the time, calculating prices and handling change and estimating and measuring such things as temperature and speed.

Find Out MoreLink opens in a new window

Dyslexia

DyslexiaLink opens in a new window

Dyslexia is a combination of abilities and difficulties; the difficulties affect the learning process in aspects of literacy and sometimes numeracy.

Getting through required reading is generally seen as the biggest challenge at higher education level due in part to inability to skim and scan written material.

Marked and persistent weaknesses may be identified in short-term and working memory, speed of processing, sequencing skills, auditory and /or visual perception, spoken language and motor skills.

Abilities can include good visuo-spatial skills, creative thinking and intuitive understanding; enabling technology is usually found to be very beneficial.

Find Out MoreLink opens in a new window

Dyspraxia

DyspraxiaLink opens in a new window

Students with dyspraxia are affected by an impairment or immaturity of the organisation of movement, often appearing clumsy.

Gross motor skills (related to balance and co-ordination) and fine motor skills (relating to manipulation of objects) are hard to learn and difficult to retain and generalise.

Writing is particularly laborious and keyboard skills difficult to acquire.

Pronunciation may also be affected and people with dyspraxia may be over/under sensitive to noise, light and touch. They may have poor awareness of body position and misread social cues in addition to those shared characteristics common to many SpLDs.

Find out more hereLink opens in a new window

See Dyspraxia in Further and Higher-Education source here Link opens in a new window]

Quick links to the rest of the toolkit

L&T

Click here to find out more about how you can make your learning and teaching more inclusive for neurodivergent studentsLink opens in a new window

Personal Tutor Department

Links to other internal disability-focused resources

Links to other internal disability-focused resources	Uiniversity Useful Links	The Student Union
Moodle training course on disabilityLink opens in a new window	Disability ServicesLink opens in a new window Warwick Social Inclusion webpageLink opens in a new window	Warwick EnableLink opens in a new window
Library accessibilityLink opens in a new window	Reasonable AdjustmentsLink opens in a new window	ASD@WarwickLink opens in a new window
Accessible technologyLink opens in a new window	Disabled student's allowanceLink opens in a new window	Disabled Students Officer.Link opens in a new window

Uiniversity Useful Links

The Student Union

Moodle training course on disabilityLink opens in a new window

Disability ServicesLink opens in a new window

Warwick Social Inclusion webpageLink opens in a new window

Warwick EnableLink opens in a new window

Library accessibilityLink opens in a new window

Reasonable AdjustmentsLink opens in a new window

ASD@WarwickLink opens in a new window

Accessible technologyLink opens in a new window

Disabled student's allowanceLink opens in a new window

Disabled Students Officer.Link opens in a new window