The Neurodivergent Students and Allies (NDS&A) club at Appalachian State University offers a dedicated space for education and support surrounding neurodiversity. Guided by president Lyric Wilson, a senior middle grades education major, the club intentionally crafts a secure environment for its members, utilizing elements like dimmed lights, soft piano music, and pop culture graphics in its meeting space. These atmospheric choices are designed to foster comfort and community for students.
Wilson said the club aims to be a safe space, explaining the preference for dim lighting and personalized presentation decorations, which often feature popular elements like Pokémon. Freshman psychology major Ghosty Romano underscored the importance of this commitment, noting that a supportive environment is crucial for neurodivergent students. Romano highlighted that such a space allows members to avoid "masking," a practice of acting more neurotypical that can feel confining in standard collegiate settings.
Beyond the physical setting, the NDS&A club actively incorporates members' interests. Officers distribute forms at the start of each semester to gather recommendations for various activities. Special interest presentations, where individuals share their favorite topics, are a consistently popular feature, so much so that a time limit has been established for them. Participation in club activities is optional, allowing members to simply observe if they prefer. Wilson noted that even just being present with others played a significant role in their own academic success before becoming president, encouraging a "work mode" for tasks like homework.
While the club offers a vital community, neurodivergent students often face broader challenges within the university. Sophomore psychology major Lynx Smith, a returning club member and resident of the Exploring Autism and Neurodiversity Residential Learning Community, described how neurodivergence heavily influenced their college experience, affecting social interactions and engagement with academic material, which is often not structured for neurodivergent learning styles. Senior electronic media and broadcasting major Evan Atkins added that the focus on formal documentation for neurodivergence can create difficulties, stating that without "paperwork, there are some people that do not care" about the need for accommodations.
To address these disconnects, the NDS&A club focuses on education, welcoming both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals to its meetings. Through varying weekly presentations, the club illustrates the wide spectrum of neurodivergence. Smith emphasized that attending is a valuable way to learn about experiences often inaccurately perceived as one-dimensional, as most people hold a limited view of conditions like autism or ADHD.
Being in a predominantly neurodivergent setting fosters a universal culture of empathy by exposing students to diverse lived experiences. Atkins pointed out that even if one cannot personally understand specific conditions like psychosis or physical disabilities within the broad spectrum of divergence, simply being around different people cultivates valuable empathy. Wilson concluded that attendees, whether neurodivergent or neurotypical, leave with a more constructive and inclusive perspective. Wilson stated the club's core belief: "Different is not a problem." This sentiment underscores that neurodivergence does not imply a lesser capability, and everyone has an equal opportunity to achieve their best.
