Neurodivergent, neurodiverse, autistic and ADHD ‐ does language impact how students engage with learning?

Widening participation and engaging students with learning involves removing barriers, increasing inclusion and welcoming a diverse student population. Growing numbers of neurodiverse students are progressing onto higher education with or without a formal diagnosis. Academic colleagues may not have specific knowledge of the range of neurodiversity. The language we use when welcoming, supporting and engaging with our students needs to be carefully considered so that we do not exclude or put students off before they have the chance to fulfil their potential. This article explores some of the existing knowledge and provides insight from experiences facilitating online peer support skills development workshops for the neurodiverse community within a UK university.

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Publication Details

Journal
Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning
Published
2025-08-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5456/wpll.27.2.176
Primary Topic
Neuroscience, Education and Cognitive Function
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Neurodivergent, neurodiverse, autistic and ADHD ‐ does language impact how students engage with learning?

Isabella Henman
Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning
Neuroscience, Education and Cognitive Function
article

Neurodivergent, neurodiverse, autistic and ADHD ‐ does language impact how students engage with learning?

Isabella Henman
article en

Abstract

Widening participation and engaging students with learning involves removing barriers, increasing inclusion and welcoming a diverse student population. Growing numbers of neurodiverse students are progressing onto higher education with or without a formal diagnosis. Academic colleagues may not have specific knowledge of the range of neurodiversity. The language we use when welcoming, supporting and engaging with our students needs to be carefully considered so that we do not exclude or put students off before they have the chance to fulfil their potential. This article explores some of the existing knowledge and provides insight from experiences facilitating online peer support skills development workshops for the neurodiverse community within a UK university.

Widening Participation and Lifelong LearningVol. 27(2)
The Open University (GB)
Openalex Percentile: Top 77%
Neuroscience, Education and Cognitive Function
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