EXCEPTIONAL ADVOCATE
NeurodiverCity: A Neurodiverse Student Community for All By Serena Chen
A PLATFORM FOR NEURODIVERSE STUDENT CONNECTION, FRIENDSHIPS, CREATIVITY, SUPPORT, AND GUIDANCE THROUGH SHARED EXPERIENCES!
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t’s essential to recognize neurodivergent student experiences are incomparable to neurotypical adults and that individual neurodivergent experiences, perceptions, and needs can drastically differ from person to person. Unfortunately, this isn’t always acknowledged. Due to commonplace misconceptions around neurodiversity, many neurodivergent students are often ignored, forced into inaccurate molds, or left to mask their identities in fear of shame or stigma. I was one of them. That’s why I created NeurodiverCity: to uphold a supportive and accessible community where every neurodiverse student’s concerns, passions, and experiences can be heard, not suppressed. Parents, are you looking for a supportive environment for your neurodivergent child(ren) to make friends with other neurodivergent students? Neurodiverse students, are you looking for a safe space where you can simply be yourself, consult support, unmask without judgment, and meet other amazing neurodiverse students worldwide? Are you struggling with a diagnosis or accommodations but don’t know how to approach your parents or where to begin? NeurodiverCity is the only international student community and resource platform run BY neurodiverse students FOR neurodiverse students. We aim for the amplification of neurodivergent youth voices rather than traditional suppression to leverage advocacy, education, community, and support. Welcome!
What is NeurodiverCity? NeurodiverCity is an online community for neurodiverse students from all over the world to make friendships, ask questions, bond over interests, and consult mutual support. Its namesake is a two-part pun on the word neurodiversity: Neurodiver, one who delves deep into their brain, and City, a diverse community of supportive individuals. Among its core features are the Neurodiverse Student Support Chatrooms, a mentorship program, the Neurodiverse Creativity Showcase, education groups for neurodiversity allies, resource and education pages, and Neurodiversity
Exceptional Needs Today | Issue 4 | 33
