Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity is a term coined in the 1990s by Australian sociologist Judy Singer. This concept describes variation in human brain functions relating to sociability, learning, attention and mood. Neurodiversity encompasses characteristics traditionally labelled with terms such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The term ‘Neurodiversity’ is designed to positively reflect the ‘neurological diversity’ of the human brain rather than pathologise  difference.

One of the many strengths of the Neurodiversity paradigm is the central aim of highlighting societal barriers. It is hoped that increased understanding and awareness across all sections of society will lead to recognition of the need to remove the barriers and ‘disenablers’, to facilitate full societal participation and to harness the strengths and unique potential of neurodiversity.

Neurodiversity Student Peer Support Group

The Neurodiversity Peer Support Group is a pilot group for students facilitated by UCD Disability Support. This group was established as many students who identified as neurodivergent have indicated an interest in developing and maintaining new social relationships. The group aims to promote and encourage peer support between neurodivergent students through group engagement in a meaningful activity chosen by members. Please email for further details: (opens in a new window)disability@ucd.ie

Accommodations for Neurodiverse Students

UCD Students with neurodiversity, a disability or significant ongoing illness have the opportunity to receive relevant reasonable accommodations or supports. Documentation confirming the diagnosis is required in order to receive supports. These supports are related to the student's needs and may include academic supports such as awareness supports for your lecturers and/or exam supports such as extra time for exams (10 minutes per hour). Supports are available in any UCD course including; undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, Open Learning and University Access. To receive these supports students must provide documentation and attend a short meeting called Needs Assessment with UCD Access & Lifelong Learning. More information can be found here. 

UCD Neurodiversity Group

This working group has been established in 2021 to better understand UCD’s campus climate in relation to neurodiversity and to make recommendations and progress actions that aim to make UCD an equitable, supportive and neurodiversity friendly environment for all in which to study and work. More information can be found here. 

Neurodiversity Employee Network

UCD employees are invited to join the mailing list for UCD Neurodiversity Employee Network. The UCD Neurodiversity Employee Network was launched at UCD's Neurodiversity Celebration 2024. You can join the mailing list (opens in a new window)here.

Reasonable Accommodation Process

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) can be defined as some modification to tasks or the structure of a job or the workplace at nominal cost which allows a qualified employee with a disability to fully do their job and enjoy equal employment opportunities.  Reasonable Accommodation can vary from something as simple as rearranging office furniture, to providing Assistive Technology or providing for changes to working hours.

There are reasonable accommodations which can be made available to employees who have differing needs due to neurodiversity upon disclosure, and more information about these can be found here. 

• (opens in a new window)ADHD Ireland
• (opens in a new window)ASPIRE  (The Autism Spectrum Association of Ireland)
• (opens in a new window)ASIAM
• (opens in a new window)Dyslexia Association Ireland
• (opens in a new window)Dyspraxia DCD Ireland
• (opens in a new window)Neurodiversity Ireland
• (opens in a new window)HSE website (A-Z glossary with information on types of neurodiversity)