By
Halls Life
Posted 5 hours ago
Mon 16 Mar, 2026 09:03 AM
We sat down with Jenny Williams, CEO of the disability charity Enhance the UK, and Saleema, a UAL student and Halls Life Community Lead, to talk neurodiversity, university life, and why inclusion starts with education.
From myths to boundaries, here's what they covered:
It's a tricky one to answer, says Jenny - "We use this term 'neurodivergent', but what do we actually mean by that? There are so many conditions that fall under it."
Assuming neurodivergence looks or feels the same for everyone is, in itself, one of the biggest myths students face.
For Jenny, who has dyslexia, it all comes down to understanding individual needs. "Someone like me is going to have completely different needs to somebody who is autistic, for example."
The key, she says, is education - both for neurodivergent students learning to understand and advocate for themselves, and for the people around them. "How can we expect others to understand us if we don't understand ourselves?"
Jenny turns the question back to Saleema - a neurodivergent student herself.
For Saleema, it comes down to open and honest communication, ideally before things get overwhelming. "A boundary might seem quite harsh or bizarre to neurotypical people - but if you can explain your needs to flatmates ahead of time, they'll have a much better understanding of where you're coming from."
It's not just about saying you're struggling, she says, but helping people understand what that actually looks like for you.
"It depends on who you are and how being neurodivergent presents itself for you." But at the heart of it, Jenny's advice is simple: be honest with yourself, be kind to yourself, and be open about what you need - even if you haven't quite figured that out yet. "It might be a completely new experience for you, and that's okay."
Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026
It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week 16 – 22 March 2026!
Helpful links
👉 Find out more about UAL support for disabled and diverse learners.
👉 Find out how you can be screened for neurodiversity at UAL.
👉 Listen to our podcast on being Queer and Neurodivergent.
👉 Visit https://enhancetheuk.org/ for more information and tools on Neurodivergence.
