Northwestern Michigan College seeks to better assist neurodiverse students with opening of Neurodiversity Support Center
Faculty member in the English department Nancy Gray proposed the idea for the Neurodiversity Support Center after spending her sabbatical researching academic support for neurodiverse students.
Northwestern Michigan College has unveiled its Neurodiversity Support Center. The center aims to offer neurodiverse students support during their academic journeys that isn’t already offered by the school’s Disability Support Services.
According to a news release on Northwestern Michigan College’s website, Nancy Gray, the coordinator of the Neurodiversity Support Center and English department faculty member, explained what the Neurodiversity Support Center is for, saying, “Neurodiverse students need more than the accommodations, which address academics. They need help and support, and the supports must also meet their social and sensory needs.”
The center is currently in its first cohort, a pilot that is working with four students whose learning differences include anxiety, autism, ADHD, and OCD. As neurodiversity is becoming more prevalent, according to the CDC, Gray said, “We need to increase awareness of neurodiversity, celebrate the strengths, and design educational practices that address the specific needs of neurodiverse students.”
Among the support services students will find at the center are mentoring, tutoring, virtual support system meetings, sensory-friendly social events, workshops, and seminars. While the pilot cohort of the center is already underway, students are still welcome to apply for assistance.
Helping Gray design the Neurodiversity Support Center was an advisory board of neurodivergent students, faculty, and community members.
For more information about Northwestern Michigan College, visit the school’s website.