Up to 30 percent of students in higher education are neurodiverse—a term that refers to neurological or developmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and dyslexia, among others. Many of these students require some form of learning accommodation during their college careers to excel academically.
All universities are required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations for neurodiverse students to ensure full and equitable learning. If your student is neurodiverse, it’s essential to review what resources are available at each university on their college list to find one that offers the kind of support they may need.
Even better, some universities have gone beyond ADA requirements by prioritizing neurodiversity inclusion. These institutions champion inclusion and meaningful support through specialized centers and programs. Below are some of the best colleges in the country for neurodiverse students.
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina’s flagship state school—and one of the “Public Ivies”—helps students navigate UNC and access support services whether they’ve received a formal diagnosis or not through The Learning Center. In addition to academic coaching specialists, the Learning Center connects students to peer groups and hosts an annual keynote event focused on learning differences.
2. Northeastern University
Located in Boston, Massachusetts, Northeastern offers a dedicated Learning Disabilities Program that supports neurodiverse undergraduate students. Unlike many other universities’ programs, the LDP provides in-person support where students meet with a learning specialist twice a week to work on their individual academic goals.
3. University of California-Irvine
Just outside of Los Angeles, the University of California at Irvine’s Disability Services Center not only manages learning accommodations but also actively works to promote an inclusive culture for neurodiverse students through campus-wide partnerships and training initiatives.
4. Southern Methodist University
The Disability Accommodations and Success Strategies (DASS) office at SMU hosts a virtual open house before classes begin to review available services, explain how to request accommodations, and answer any questions. These services include academic coaching, connecting incoming freshmen with an on-campus group, and enrolling students in UNIV 1210: Academic Success and Personal Development.
5. Middlebury College
During the 2023-2024 academic year, a third of Middlebury College’s 2,800 undergraduate students received at least one learning accommodation. Unlike many universities, disability justice—which considers a wide range of conditions, including neurodiversity–and inclusive design are central concerns for the Disability Resource Center, which works to build an inclusive and welcoming campus.
There are many other universities, such as Texas Tech University, University of Maryland, University of Arizona, American University, and Marquette University, that offer robust and unique support services for neurodiverse students. Beyond the legally required accommodations, these programs, coaching, and opportunities can make a significant difference in a student’s college success and their post-graduate career.
At The Enrichery, we emphasize the importance of developing the executive functioning skills that neurodiverse students need to succeed starting as early as elementary school. If you believe your student could benefit from executive functioning mini classes or if you and your student would like support with finalizing a college list that accounts for their accommodation needs, contact The Enrichery today to schedule a session!
