Neurodiversity reflects the natural variation in human neurology and includes neurological differences such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome, and other cognitive styles. Recognizing neurodiversity reinforces the idea that there is no one “right” way of thinking. Source: The Neurodiversity Alliance
Indiana University is committed to fostering a workplace where neurodivergent faculty, staff, and students are valued, supported, and able to succeed. This resource brings together tools, services, and practical guidance to help employees access support, navigate the workplace, and celebrate the strengths that neurodivergent individuals bring to our university community.
Individuals do not need to disclose a disability or have a formal diagnosis to find many of these resources useful.
IU Resources
All Indiana University faculty and staff who identify as autistic are welcome! This is a primarily self-directed group that helps individuals stay socially connected, become effective self-advocates, and explore support and activities on campus and in the community. This group meets in Bloomington, and there is also an option to join virtually. This is not a counseling program. Learn more HERE.
The Indiana Resource Center for Autism is dedicated to promoting and contributing to the well-being, self-advocacy, and autonomy of Autistic individuals across the Autism spectrum and throughout all stages of life. Learn more HERE.
ATAC provides assistive software (e.g., text-to-speech, mind-mapping, dictation tools), alternative format creation, and individual consultation for both employees and students.
The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences operates the Speech-Language Clinic, Hearing Clinic, and Preschool program that offer communication support, social communication groups, executive functioning coaching, communication consultations, and other services for neurodivergent individuals, including adults, faculty, and students. Learn more HERE.
IU Faculty Resources
Teaching Centers offer resources and consultations for proactive accommodating practices such as how to make your courses more transparent, structured, and accessible. These practices go beyond simple accommodations to address the neurodiversity of your classes to support all students’ academic success. You may reach out to them if you are unsure where to start, or if there are specific areas you wish to improve.
NeuroSpark is a Gemini Gem developed to help faculty understand the definition of different terms (neurodivergent, neurodivergence, neurotypical, and neurodiverse) and different types of neurodivergence, while also providing UDL-oriented proactive strategies that are accommodating of neurodivergent students. Tip: Open Google Gemini and log in first, and then click the NeuroSpark Gem link to launch.
IU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free individual and group counseling and crisis support for students who paid the student health fee. Note: Provided services do not include autism testing.
IUB CAPS: Call 812-855-5711, visit the 1st or 4th floor of the Student Health Center (600 N. Eagleson Ave.) weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or book online HERE.
IUI CAPS: Call 317-274-2548, visit the 2nd floor of Lockefield Village (980 Indiana Avenue) weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., or e-mail capsindy@iu.edu for an appointment.
IUI Clinical Psychology Mental Health Center: Call 317-274-6753, visit the 1st floor of the Science Building (402 N. Blackford St) weekdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (until 1 p.m. Fridays), or fill out the contact form HERE.
The IUI Jaguar Coping and Resilience Team—called JagsCARE—provides educational lunch-and-learns and consultation spaces. Learn more about JagsCARE.
IUI Psychoeducational Testing: Assessments are intended to aid students in applying for classroom accommodations through AES and to provide documentation of diagnosis for students who want to consult with their doctor about medication. Limited appointments are available per semester or community referral options are provided. Note: these services are only for IUI students and there is a fee for services.
Accessible Educational Services (AES) is dedicated to ensuring that students with qualifying medical conditions, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have the tools, support services, and resources that allow equal access and reasonable accessibility measures (accommodations) to be successful.
This pressbook from an IU Instructional Technology Consultant provides an overview and instructions to update your course to be more accessible for your students. Access it HERE.
This is a Canvas course created by IUI CAPS to help faculty support students, understand their responsibilities (e.g., mandated reporting), conduct a ‘warm handoff,’ and connect students with additional resources. All IU faculty are welcome to take this free training.
This practical handbook is designed for higher education faculty and educational developers who are ready to embrace neuroinclusive instruction in their classrooms.
Note: A copy of this book is available at the IU Indianapolis library for free.
Anthem offers behavioral health benefits for neurodivergent adults, including coverage for diagnostic evaluations, psychotherapy, and medication management. Confirm in-network providers, tests that require prior authorization, and ongoing treatment options by calling Anthem at the number on the back of your ID card.
In addition, Anthem’s Autism Program provides personalized support to help employees and their families navigate autism care, access helpful resources, understand their benefits, and coordinate care. The program also offers specialized case management and support for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. For more information or support, contact the Anthem Autism Program team at 844-269-0538.
Marathon Health employee clinics offer IU employees and family members who are enrolled in an IU-sponsored medical plan access to affordable, high-quality healthcare including sick visits, mental health counseling, primary and preventive care, health coaching, and labs all in a convenient setting. Preventive visits and labs are available at no cost and other visits are just $35. Appointments can be scheduled online or by phone at 866-434-3255.
IU’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), SupportLinc, offers no-cost, confidential access to licensed counselors 24/7 who can provide short-term counseling or referrals to specialized care to employees and their household members. You can receive up to six (6) face-to-face counseling sessions per presenting issue per year (in-person or virtual). Learn more about EAP here.
In addition, SupportLinc offers an anonymous, virtual support group called Helping Support People on the Autism Spectrum. This group will explore the ways to be a supportive friend, partner, family member, colleague or ally for people in your life who are on the spectrum. Visit mysupportlinc.com to create an account, then search for support groups.
When an employee has a qualified disability (as defined by the ADA) which limits their ability to perform the essential functions of their job, it is the policy of Indiana University to provide reasonable accommodation when necessary.
Care Talks, by Care.com, provide expert advice and guidance to help you better care for yourself and your family. Webinars are offered across seven themes, including the theme of ‘navigating disabilities,’ which covers neurodivergent support topics. Eligible* employees must first create a free premium IU Care.com account in order to register for these webinars.
Navigate to the Care Talks section on the homepage
Register for the sessions you like with the click of a button
* Eligibility:
Full-time (75% FTE or greater) appointed academic and staff employees.
Medical and optometry residents appointed at 50% or greater.
Student academic appointees enrolled in the IU-sponsored SAA medical plan.
Creating a Neuroinclusive Workplace
Leaders and colleagues can create a neuroinclusive workplace by practicing simple, evidence-based guidelines. These approaches often benefit all employees while reducing the need for individual accommodations. The following is an general overview of best practices, but the other guides and resources listed in this section provide a deeper dive into creating neuroinclusive work environments and how to best support your colleagues.
Neurodiversity Hub offers free, downloadable presentation decks, faculty toolkits, and classroom adaptation checklists designed to improve educational accessibility and post-college transitions. Learn more about Neurodiversity Hub: Neurodiversity Hub Main Resources Page
ARI facilitates cutting-edge biomedical research, disseminates important discoveries to clinicians and families, and brings experts from various fields together to discuss findings and their implications for research and care. ARI provides resources on screening and assessment, educational webinars, and other support. Learn more about ARI HERE.
ADDA specifically targets adults with ADHD, offering adult peer support groups, workplace strategies, and executive functioning tools. Learn more about ADDA HERE.
CAN is an advocacy and research organization bringing together higher ed professionals, researchers, and autistic students. It offers free monthly virtual meetings, research webinars, and advocacy toolkits. Learn more about CAN on the College Autism Network Official Site.
Accordion: DREAM (Disabled Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring)
A national online network specifically for higher ed students with disabilities and neurodivergence. A great student-led resource to point undergraduates toward. Learn more about DREAM on the DREAM National Network.
ASAN is run by and for autistic individuals and offers free downloadable toolkits on self-advocacy, higher education rights, and navigating campus accommodation processes. Learn more about ASAN on the Autistic Self Advocacy Network Official Site.
HelpGuide.org is an independent nonprofit that runs one of the world’s leading mental health websites. People on the autism spectrum tend to face unique challenges in the workplace. But there are ways to identify the right kind of work for you, overcome obstacles, and set yourself up for job success. Learn more HERE.
AANE offers dedicated support groups, life management coaching, and resources specifically designed for neurodivergent adults and professionals. Learn more about AANE HERE.
CHADD and ADDitude offer free open-access articles, webinars, and downloadable classroom strategies for supporting students with ADHD and executive dysfunction in academic settings.
AFSP focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those who have lost someone to suicide. Learn more about AFSP HERE.
