CampusCompass Neurodivergence
Table of contents
The introductory week with AD(H)S, autism, dyslexia & co - that's what it's all about
Get-to-know-you brunches, club tours and packed seminar rooms: the first few days at university are usually saturated with new impressions and people. For many first-year students, the social factor and the fast pace are what make this initial phase on campus attractive and unforgettable.
But what if self-organization is such a challenge that you can't even make it to the kick-off event? How does someone feel who takes noticeably longer than the others to read what is written on the blackboard in the first few lectures? How difficult is this time for someone who hears the tube light just as loudly as the conversation of fellow students at lunch?
For people who are neurodivergent, hurdles like these can lie in the background of everyday scenarios. Many offers and events at universities do not cater to their needs enough, which not only saps energy, but also results in the loss of neurodivergent potential. After all, creativity, unconventional thinking, precision or a high degree of empathy are also things that can be characteristic of a neurodivergent person.
The CampusKompass Neurodivergence project would therefore like to offer a starting week that addresses precisely these issues. With low-barrier offers and target group-oriented approaches, new students should receive support at the start of their studies and be encouraged that they have a place at the TUD - with everything that belongs to them.
What we mean when we talk about neurodivergence
The term "neurodivergence" has been documented since the 1990s and was originally used primarily in research and online forums on the autistic spectrum. It was intended to express a new view that did not see autism exclusively as a disability or deficit, as had previously been the case. The focus was on viewing the differences in cognitive functions in a value-neutral way.
This core idea still resonates today: Swedish activist Greta Thunberg describes her autism as her "superpower". And its reach has also increased, so that neurodivergence can be used to describe a greater number of conditions, including
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Attention deficit disorder (AD[H]S)
- Mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, ...
- Dyslexia and dyscalculia (reading, spelling and arithmetic difficulties)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders and Tourette's syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
- Fetal alcohol syndrome (FASD)
Autonomy and self-determination apply to the understanding of CampusCompass Neurodivergence - anyone who sees themselves as neurodivergent, whether on this list or not, is in the right place with us. And how a person views their neurodivergence, whether as a disability, a minor deviation from a norm, their superpower or all of these things, is up to them. With our work, we not only want to honor the diversity of the human brain, but also the diversity of experiences and perspectives.
The CampusKompass team
FAQ
The introductory week will take place from September 28 to October 02, 2026.
The following offers are planned:
- A campus tour of the most important hubs of the TUD
- Joint taster sessions on the topics of timetables and study regulations
- Workshops on the topics of learning strategies and neurodivergent empowerment
- Presentation of the most important contacts at the TUD such as the AG Services Disability and Studies and the psychosocial counseling of the Studierendenwerk.
More informal formats such as a joint brunch are also planned - in smaller groups and with plenty of time for questions, breaks and socializing.
A detailed program will be published on this page at the end of July.
Above all, you should bring patience, understanding and time. During the week itself, you will run along, help with the timetable and clarify initial organizational questions. It is not important that you have the right answer to every question straight away - it is important that you are there to help find the answer that people may not yet know.
Your main task after the week will be to listen to problems and concerns and to refer your person to authorities such as the Examination Office or the SBS working group. If necessary, you will accompany the person to appointments or to their first visit to a university group at their request.
This may not sound like much, but it can make a significant difference to the person you are supporting. This job definitely involves responsibility - we therefore recommend that you do not look after more than 3 people at a time.
Personal or professional experience with neurodivergence is welcome, but not essential. A briefing to get to know each other will take place at the beginning of July 2026.
The duration of the peer activity is ultimately up to you and the person you are accompanying. However, you should plan for at least the winter semester 2026/2027 in order to remain the contact person for your peer.
A detailed schedule of events will be published on this page at the end of July 2026. From this point onwards, it will be possible to register here using the online form, in which data such as name and degree program will be requested. Once you have registered, you will initially receive an automated email, but we will contact you personally by email shortly afterwards.
A maximum of 35 participants will be admitted, but it is of course possible to move up if there are short-notice cancellations.
Our offer is explicitly not only aimed at first-semester students - returning students who are already further along in their studies can also register. However, we ask for your understanding that in the event of very high demand, first-semester students will be prioritized when allocating places.
No.
We are aware of the current emergencies in psychotherapeutic care and the long waiting times for diagnostic appointments. In addition, pursuing a diagnosis is always associated with a revelation to a medical system in which discrimination still occurs and depends on many factors, such as family support or financial means. We want to create a space in which support is offered without stigmatizing. Anyone who feels addressed by our offer is welcome to join us.
© Zoe Rühle/ Diversity Management
CampusKompass Neurodivergenz
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