Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways. There is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits. In Ireland, an estimated 4% of the population are considered neurodiverse, which includes Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorders and Obsessive-compulsive Disorders. However, it is generally thought that approximately 15-20% of the population may be neurodivergent.

If you are diagnosed as neurodiverse, UCD Access & Lifelong Learning (UCDALL) can offer support through their Disability Support Service. They have a drop-in hour during the teaching trimester - Monday to Thursday, 11am-12noon.

This link will take you to some tips from UCD ALL for students with ADD/ADHD. UCDALL also provides really helpful recordings of academic skills workshops, such as (opens in a new window)Avoiding Procrastination, (opens in a new window)Time Management, and (opens in a new window)Mind Mapping. 

Your Student Adviser can also offer you time and space to explore issues of concern in confidence. If you’re concerned about how neurodiversity may be (potentially) impacting on your studies, please contact your Student Adviser to discuss this further. 

If you need specific accommodations in relation to academic and exam supports, and/or assistive technology, UCDALL can offer support through their Disability Support Service.

If you think you may have Dyslexia, UCDALL can offer a free dyslexia screening. This screening aims to provide you with an indication of whether or not it would be useful for you to get a full Educational Psychologist’s assessment for dyslexia. Please note that the screening does not provide a diagnosis, but ALL may be able to offer you some supports on the basis of screening. Depending on the outcome of the screening, you may then wish to pursue a full assessment.

If you think you may have ADHD and/or Autism, your GP is the best place to start for advice. If you don’t have a regular GP or can’t afford the full cost of a GP appointment, UCD Student Health offers a lower-cost service. However, lease note, assessments for ADHD are not provided in the UCD Student Health Service. Your GP or psychiatrist may provide a referral for a private assessment or possibly (opens in a new window)to this national service for ADHD in adults, depending on your circumstances. (opens in a new window)Information on how to access an autism assessment as an adult can be found here.

The Student Advisers run a free, supervised, neuro-inclusive study space called FocusHub which takes place several times a week. It’s a relaxed and welcoming place to bring along your own work, settle in, and study alongside others. The space can give a bit of structure and motivation, while also making studying feel less isolating. Many students tell us it helps them to stay on track and feel more connected. You can read more about FocusHub here or (opens in a new window)sign up via this google form.

UCD ALL has a collection of resources and workshops relating to all aspects of student life, which can be accessed at any time during the year on the ALL Student Supports: University for All Brightspace module. To enrol in the module follow the following instructions:

  • Login to Brightspace
  • Click Explore and search for “ALL Student Supports” in the search bar
  • Click on the module “ALL Student Supports: University for All”, and click enroll

This is a student-run group who meet weekly for an informal coffee event in the Chaplaincy Hub in the Student Centre. You don’t need an assessment to join in, and everyone is welcome. You can come and ask questions or not speak at all, and feel free to bring a stim toy or craft with you - even bring a friend if that helps! All gender and sexual identities are welcome. They have a ‘traffic light’ name label system where you can write your name and pronouns in different colours to show your interaction needs that day: red - no talking please, orange - wait for me to talk to you, green - up for talking today.