What type of support do universities offer neurominority students, for example those within the autism spectrum? Or those with dyslexia or an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
TEK Magazine asked about the topic from all Finnish universities teaching technology or mathematics and science. There were ten universities: Aalto University in Espoo, University of Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland in Joensuu and Kuopio, University of Jyväskylä, LUT University in Lappeenranta and Lahti, University of Oulu, Tampere University, University of Turku, University of Vaasa and Åbo Akademi University in Turku and Vaasa.
We carried out an email survey at the turn of September and October. Information on the available support services was provided by the universities’ experts in education or learning services, study psychologists, a wellbeing coordinator, a university lecturer and a communication specialist.
The answers given by the universities have been edited and are listed in alphabetical order by university name.
Aalto University
At Aalto University, neurodivergent students can apply for individual support in planning their studies as well as for reasonable, individual accommodations in their lessons. These might include additional time for exams, a separate exam room or access to study materials in advance. To apply for these individual study arrangements, students are required to provide an expert statement of their condition. Last year, the university granted 260 individual study arrangements. They expect the number to increase year by year.
Aalto University supports students’ wellbeing and learning by offering peer support groups, individual and group counselling with study psychologists, drop-in counselling online and face-to-face as well as online courses and materials. The university's website provides information for the Aalto community on topics such as study techniques, study abilities and accessibility.
The university’s Learning Services support teachers and counsellors so they can take accessibility into account in their work, identify barriers to learning and guide students in using the university's services.
Aalto University is currently updating its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan for 2025–2028.
LUT University
LUT aims to be an accessible university. Students may receive individual study arrangements, such as alternative implementation methods or additional time for exams. The need for these arrangements must typically be based on a condition verified by an expert, such as dyslexia or an attention deficit disorder. The university does not collect
information on the number of students requiring individual study arrangements but estimates that the need for these arrangements has been on a slight increase.
LUT University’s study psychologists offer support to students regarding their studies and how to cope with them, while guidance counsellors offer low-threshold help with more practical matters. The university's website provides materials to support students’ studies and wellbeing, including videos and podcasts.
LUT University's multidisciplinary student wellbeing team together with the student union LTKY conducts a survey on teaching and wellbeing every year. The university develops its support and wellbeing services based on the responses. In addition, LUT develops support services relating to students' study ability in cooperation with the Finnish Student Health Service FSHS and fosters student community together with LTKY.
Tampere University
Tampere University has been providing group support for neurodivergent students since the autumn of 2022.
At the beginning of each semester, neurodivergent students have their own NOOA information sessions that help them navigate their studies. Another group, JOLLA, is a form of small group counselling for neurodivergent students who have just started their studies. VENE is a peer support group for students who recognise symptoms of an autism spectrum disorder or ADHD in themselves. The university also organises a range of thematic lectures.
Tampere University is piloting group career counselling for neurodivergent students during the academic year 2024–2025. The university also provides training to its guidance and teaching staff in planning accessible teaching.
Tampere University organises group activities for all its students on topics such as concentration and time management, and also provides access to study psychologists.
Students may receive individual study arrangements on the basis of a documented autism spectrum disorder, ADHD or learning disability, for example. The university estimates that a few hundred students use these individual arrangements each year, although the number is growing.
At the beginning of this year, the Nemo association began operating under the student union. It’s an association meant for higher education students belonging to a neurominority in Tampere, and it’s reportedly the first of its kind in Finland.
University of Eastern Finland
At the University of Eastern Finland, students can apply for individual study arrangements for health reasons, such as dyslexia or sensory disability. The student must have a statement from a doctor or another expert on the need for special arrangements. The university estimates that hundreds of students use these arrangements each year and the number has been steadily increasing.
The university offers a range of services to support learning and wellbeing. Study psychologists, neuropsychiatric counsellors and a special education teacher provide individual counselling and run small groups. A peer support group for neurodivergent students is available online, as is the Otetta opintoihin group that focuses on supporting students in their studies. The group leaders are able to support students on a wide range of neurodiversity topics.
The university is constantly developing its existing forms of support services and seeking new ways to help students. The development work is a collaborative effort between students and staff.
University of Helsinki
A curriculum development process is about to begin at the University of Helsinki. One of its goals is to make teaching more accessible. Study units can already often be completed using several implementation methods, from which students can choose the one that suits them best. In the Faculty of Science, for example, lecture courses can often be completed independently.
If the available options are not sufficient, however, students may, after obtaining a statement from a doctor or an equivalent expert, receive individual arrangements, such as additional time in exams or a separate exam room. To make these arrangements, students will usually meet with an accessibility contact person. They can also help students draw up a study plan. The university estimates that several hundred students apply for individual arrangements each year. The number is growing.
The university organises group meetings and events for students to support their studies and wellbeing. Participants are not required to have a diagnosis. A group led by study psychologists called Tarkkaavaisuuden haasteita (eng. Challenges with attention deficit) has been popular, for example. This autumn, the university started organising workshops on neurodiversity. In addition, the university offers online materials and remote sessions to support students studying independently. The study psychologists also offer individual counselling to students.
The University of Helsinki provides guidelines for teachers for example on how to take neurodiversity into account when teaching and guiding students.
University of Jyväskylä
Students at the University of Jyväskylä can receive individual study arrangements for justified and verified reasons with a medical certificate. The students first meet with the university’s senior specialist and their degree programme’s accessibility contact person. They will then work together to assess the need for individual support, as the challenges and support needs of neurodivergent students are unique to each individual. Recommendations for study arrangements may include additional time for submissions and exams, alternative implementation methods, guidance counselling or alternative ways of attending classes.
The University of Jyväskylä estimates that there have been around 200 individual arrangements per year in recent years, and the need is growing.
The university offers peer support groups for completing assignments in subjects such as mathematics, statistics, physics and chemistry. Students can also utilise the online study support and wellbeing materials provided by the university.
Students can ask the university's accessibility contact person for help in creating their study plan. Wellbeing counsellors and coaches also offer counselling to students.
University of Oulu
The University of Oulu offers group and individual counselling for neurodivergent students provided by study psychologists and a neuropsychiatric coach. In addition, the university's website provides materials to support students’ study skills and overall wellbeing.
The University of Oulu organises group activities to support students in their studies, such as a study skills group for students with ADHD. The VENE peer support group is a new group for neurodivergent students that started gathering this autumn. The University of Oulu modelled it after a similar one gathering at Tampere University.
Students can book an appointment for guidance counselling or utilise the university’s individual coaching service Study Coaching, which offers a range of guidance services for students. One of them is a coaching package for students with neuropsychiatric symptoms called Fokusta opiskeluun, vahvistusta arkeen – Nepsyoireisen opiskelijan valmennuspaketti. The issues addressed include how to direct attention and manage time. The university's study psychologists also provide individual counselling to students.
At the University of Oulu, students can also apply for individual study arrangements for health-related reasons. The university estimates that there are over a hundred recommended arrangements per year, and the numbers are growing.
In addition, the University of Oulu organises training for its teaching and guidance staff in order to increase awareness regarding neurominority students.
University of Turku
Students at the University of Turku can get help with their studies from the guidance counsellors and teachers in charge of their programme and faculty. Student tutors also help introduce new students to their study environment. Study psychologists, in turn, provide support to students in areas such as time management and motivation.
By providing the university with a medical certificate or other expert statement, a student can be granted a right to individual arrangements. The university's accessibility contact person advises students on the matter. The university estimates that several hundred students use these arrangements every year and that the number of people requesting them has increased in recent years.
Representatives from higher education institutions, health care providers, Kela as well as the third sector in the Turku region meet regularly in the form of a working group to discuss topics relating to providing support services for neurodivergent students.
This autumn, the University of Turku is launching a support service that combines peer support and individual counselling for neurominority students. Also on the agenda for this academic year is staff training on accommodating ADHD and autism spectrum disorders in the classroom.
University of Vaasa
Students at the University of Vaasa can apply for individual arrangements to help them progress in their studies. The need must be verified by a doctor, psychologist, speech therapist or other expert. The university's study psychologist will provide the students with a recommendation regarding these arrangements. The university estimates that it grants individual study arrangements for tens of students each year, and the number of applicants has increased significantly in recent years.
The study psychologist offers students individual counselling and arranges group meetings, where topics including time management and concentration are discussed.
This autumn, the University of Vaasa hosted a Neuro-Friendly October programme for the first time. The programme included a Brain Power information series, neuro-friendly study sessions and neuropsychiatric counselling by both an expert by experience and a neuropsychiatric coach. In addition, a Neuro-Friendly Afternoon event provided students with information and tools for concentration challenges, dyslexia and managing anxiety.
The university will continue the neuro-friendly study sessions and neuropsychiatric counselling piloted in October. It is also starting the process of designing neuro-friendly study and break areas.
Åbo Akademi University
Åbo Akademi University aims to take both physical and psychosocial accessibility into account in its teaching.
Each faculty has accessibility contact persons with whom students can discuss their need for individual arrangements. To be granted these arrangements, students need a diagnosis from a doctor or other expert. The university estimates the number of arrangements sought to be around two hundred.
The most common individual arrangement is receiving additional time for exams. Other arrangements include a separate exam room, clear oral and written instructions, access to course materials in advance, additional time for submissions and longer library loans.
Study psychologists provide students with support in areas such as learning, time management and stress management. They help students in planning their studies, for example. Older students can also act as mentors for newer students.
Åbo Akademi University trains its teachers to be better equipped in creating accessible learning environments. Teachers can utilise online materials and individual guidance counselling to adapt their teaching
This article utilises the Neurovahvistava sanasto glossary (Neuromoninaiset, 2024).
Juhani Nokela's comment: It’s only fair to demand reasonable accommodations
The responses show that universities are clearly aware of the situation and have started to develop their services accordingly. Accommodations have been made for people with learning disabilities in the past as well, but we’re seeing a welcome increase in the recognition of neurodiversity.
In acknowledging neurodiversity, clear communication channels are important. Key factors for success include accessibility of information, contact persons and encountering students both online and in person. It’s important that the diverse range of learners is also reflected in course arrangements. Routine activities designed for neurotypical students, such as enrolling in a course, can prove challenging to others.
In general, other aspects of university studies can also be challenging, such as managing workloads and planning studies. It’s only fair to demand that reasonable accommodations are made for neurodivergent students to ensure that different types of learners have equal access to learning. However, we need to find a balance as to how much of the responsibility for enabling flexibility lies with the university as opposed to the individual.
Author is TEK's Public Affairs Director.