A survey by Student Beans published its findings in January revealing that nearly 22% of students have been diagnosed with neurodiversity, and over 28% have experienced symptoms of neurodivergence.
By Ann Durrell (MARLA) Specialist PBSA Property Management | Derwent FM, part of the Places for People Group
The wait for neurodivergent diagnosis is longer than ever, with autism diagnosis wait times reaching 300 days. It is evident that more of our student residents have a diagnosis of neurodiverse, are on a waiting list or have not yet sought support.
The question then begs, are we doing enough in the PBSA sector to support our students?
What can we be doing?
Move in experience
Moving home can be stressful, especially when its to a new city and hundreds of miles away from support networks. Do we all review the communications and inductions we are providing with Neurodivergent students in mind?
Rather than sending text heavy paragraphs of information over several emails and documents. Is there an opportunity to produce video guides or simply condense into more digestible bullet points? How many emails are we sending? Could we, whilst we are aiming be informative, be overloading students during an already stressful period?
Communications over noise
It could be easy to overlook the impact of everyday routine maintenance activities, this additional noise could be intrusive. Communicating this maintenance schedule or where there are ad hoc works will ensure students are aware so minimise the effect noise may have.
Inclusive Events
We celebrate well attended events and see it as a success. For a number of our student’s, large events with loud noise, lots of people and smells could be off-putting. Considering an event schedule that includes smaller events with noise management and avoiding sensory overload.
Team Training
Providing site teams with training to develop a clearer understanding of neurodiversity. Having awareness gives individuals confidence to have conversations and engage with students. It is the students themselves who will give us more ideas on how we can adapt and act.
University and Student Groups
Speaking to the Universities to identify existing groups who are supporting Neurodiversity in our student communities. After all, it is our students who will be able to guide us most in what best practice looks like for them.
Sharing skills and knowledge
How much as an industry are we talking, sharing skills and knowledge on supporting Neurodiversity in our sector? Personally, from what I am reading, we are at the start of this journey. We can do more to create communities where all students can thrive.
