Supporting Neurodivergent Tenants in Student Accommodation - Creating Inclusive, Empowering Living Environments

This interactive training session is designed to equip accommodation staff and support teams with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to better understand and support neurodivergent students. From autism and ADHD to sensory processing differences and beyond, we’ll explore the diverse experiences of neurodivergent individuals and how these may impact their wellbeing in shared living spaces.

Spaces Available

Agenda

Speakers

Toria Thomas, Tenancy Support and Wellbeing Coordinator, Unipol Student Homes

Toria is the Tenancy Support and Wellbeing Coordinator in Unipol. Having previously trained as a Religious Education secondary school teacher, so is well used to broaching difficult topics and answering sensitive questions. Since beginning in Unipol in May 2022, Toria has assisted student tenants with numerous issues, ranging from flat fallouts and messy kitchens, to mental health crises. Toria is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, animal welfare and averting climate disaster.

Details

Participants will gain practical strategies for fostering inclusive environments, managing communication sensitively, and responding effectively to individual needs. Through real-life scenarios, reflective discussions, and resource sharing, this session aims to build empathy, reduce barriers, and promote a culture of respect and belonging within student accommodation.

Topics covered will include:

Introduction

What is neurodivergence?

• Autism
• ADHD
• Processing difficulties, eg., dyslexia and dyscalculia
• Movement and coordination difficulties e.g. dysgraphia and dyspraxia
• Tourette’s syndrome

What impact does neurodivergence have on an individual?

• Examination of the common behaviours associated with neurodivergence, including Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Executive dysfunction, Emotional Dysregulation and Justice Sensitivity

The intersectionality of neurodivergence

• Exploration of some of the common co-occurring conditions and statistics surrounding neurodivergence

Common problems faces by neurodivergent people might face in Student Accommodation

Communication with staff

• How should staff communicate with a neurodivergent person?
• What sort of questions might you get?

Communication with co-tenants

• How neurodivergence might cause inter-tenant disputes and how to support them
• Meltdowns and emotional dysregulation
• Executive dysfunction, RSD and PDA

Sensory

• Examination on how to make the environment inclusive – e.g. blinking lights, noise, feel of the mattress

Landlords’ Responsibilities

What responsibilities do landlords have towards neurodivergent students?

• A landlord needs to be prepared to make ‘reasonable adjustments’, but what does that actually mean?
• Should the landlord foot the bill of any adjustments made?
• What if someone is undiagnosed or self-diagnosed?

Unipol recommendations

What should we be doing to help neurodivergent students?

• What actions can be done pre-tenancy?
• How do we support them during their tenancy?