ALL THINGS WHY
In a Nutshell
In the context of our Doing Diversity course, we were asked to conduct ethnographic research on a specific marginalised group of our choosing. Together we decided to research neurodivergence at the University of Amsterdam – more specifically, university students with AD(H)D (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). We all felt this was an important subject to research as we all agreed that the attitude of the university regarding support for learning disabilities, is very limited, if not neglectful. We believe it is important to bring awareness to this issue since AD(H)D is the most common learning disability that university students struggle with and can have a deep impact on the students’ academic performance, as well as their mental well-being, if they do not receive the support and/or guidance they need.
Having two members with an AD(H)D diagnosis in our research group made us want to hear from other students and their experiences. Through social media, we found students who were willing to be interviewed by us and share their thoughts and experiences with studying at the UvA with AD(H)D. With mental health awareness growing in visibility, the research we conducted illustrates our argument that the university as an institution does not do enough to support its students with learning disabilities and that the support systems that they do have in place, are not necessarily what these students need, but rather what the university thinks they need.
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To get more insight into the University’s attempts to help students with ADHD we also interviewed Megan (24). She is a master student at the University of Amsterdam and she was diagnosed with ADHD herself at the age of 22. Megan is the founder of an ADHD-friendly study group and over the whole length of her studies has tried to motivate the UvA to become aware of the problems and provide more support for people diagnosed with ADHD.
Megan herself had a lot of struggles with studying. She did not get work done, she was chaotic, and therefore, tried to reach out to the UvA during the summer before starting her bachelor. The university stated that they had enough resources and help for her, but, that it was too early to give her more information when she contacted them in july. It turned out, when she started her study, that they only offered extra time during an exam and one “ADHD-friendly” course that was already full…
Therefore, in the first year of her bachelor, Megan wanted the university to start an ADHD-friendly study group. She proposed it to the University but the only thing they did was provide Megan with a spare room to host the group herself. As there was no other option that the University gave her, she started this study group in the last year of her studies. Because of her own experiences she new what could maybe work for students with ADHD symptoms.
More details about Megan's study group can be found in our conclusion.