Neurodiversity isn’t new but the way we talk about it is evolving. This resource hub offers clear guidance, practical tools and personal stories to help you explore different ways of thinking about neurodiversity and how it shapes study and everyday life.

Why Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity can be thought of broadly as the range of different ways individual’s brains function across a population. An individual whose brain may function differently can be thought of as neurodivergent and it is these individuals that make up a neurodiverse population. Common forms of neurodivergence such as Autism, ADHD, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia (also known as DCD), Dysgraphia and Tourette’s syndrome also fall under the neurodiversity umbrella

Neurodiversity is a relatively new term though and was only coined in 1998 by Judy Singer. Its use, according to google, has grown rapidly since then which is probably why it feels familiar to many of you. This does not mean that the neurodivergent experience is something new though with many historical figures you may have heard of having one or more neurodivergent condition.

It seems strange to call it a condition in 2025 when I am writing this though as we now think about neurodiversity through a lens of difference, rather than as conditions to be treated. It is important to acknowledge though that this is a fast-moving field, so even some articles on this site may feel dated in their approach. We endeavour to keep them up to date but there can be a lag in achieving that.

What is the purpose of the hub?

One of the central aims of The Open University is to be open to people. Differences in how we think and function in the world can make access to education harder. This is one of the reasons we have developed this hub of resources to help you understand more about the differences in how people think and better understand the impact this has upon their lives.

If you are neurodivergent yourself, you will also find a range of resources to help support you, from study tips to accessible articles that might be useful for you to share with others so they can better understand you.

We want to hear from you!

We are also sure that many of you reading this might have something to contribute. We are interested in stories of your lived experience, maybe your neurodivergence is one we have not got a lot of resources on? Or maybe you are a practitioner who supports neurodivergent people and have some knowledge you want to share? If so please get in touch: openlearn@open.ac.uk