TRAVERSE CITY — As NMC’s Neurodiversity Support Center prepares to expand services to more students, the community is invited to see what’s available at an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, in the lower level of Scholars Hall on NMC’s Front Street campus.
The NSC debuted in January and served a pilot cohort of seven students with a range of learning differences, including but not limited to anxiety, autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. This fall 10 students are enrolled in NSC services, which are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and expand upon what is provided by the college’s office of Disability Support Services.
Of the students in the original pilot, 100 percent succeeded in passing all their classes. Five of them are still enrolled at NMC. One graduated, and another transferred to a four-year university.
In the spring 2025 semester, NSC Coordinator Nancy Gray expects to more than double the number of students served to 15, and increase to 20 by fall 2025 semester.
“Neurodiverse students may need more than the accommodations offered through Disability Support Services, which address primarily academic needs. They may need help and support, in communication, advocacy, socialization and meeting their sensory needs,” Gray said.
“When I came to NMC I was very shy and wasn’t very talkative. The neurodiversity support has helped me with social skills in my everyday life,” said student Freya Simone. “Everyone is very welcoming here, especially the students. It’s a very positive environment.”
An English faculty member, Gray proposed the NSC after spending her 2022-23 sabbatical year researching neurodiversity support services provided by many other colleges and universities. A key component of the NSC, located in Scholars Hall on NMC’s Front Street campus, is training staff how to meet the specific needs of these learners.
An advisory body including neurodiverse students, NMC employees and community partners such as Michigan Rehabilitative Services and Northwest Educational Services assisted Gray in planning and implementing the NSC.
The prevalence of neurodiversity has increased significantly worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate autism spectrum disorder occurs in 1 of every 36 U.S. children, or 2.8 percent. In 2000 the prevalence was 1 in 150. About 11 percent of children have received an ADHD diagnosis, also per the CDC. Both are significantly more prevalent among boys. Anxiety prevalence is estimated at 31.9 percent among adolescents, with females more commonly affected. Co-occurrence of multiple conditions is also common.
“More neurodivergent students are attending college than ever before which is why this type of programming is necessary,” Gray said.
Release date: October 24, 2024
For more information:
Nancy Gray
Neurodiversity Support Center Coordinator
ngray@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2091
(505) 501-3258 (mobile)