Seniors and co-founders, Benjamin Casciano and Jade Robinson began the Neurodiversity Club in the last school year to provide a safe space for people who shared the same struggles as them. Sponsor Daniel Brown, a Special Education teacher, noted the club changed its name recently to extend to everyone on campus looking for a community of supportive peers.“Even if you’re not neurodivergent, you can still be in the club, neurodiversity includes everybody,” Brown said.

For many of the members, Brown’s room acts as a safe space where they can interact before and after school.

“I’m here every morning early, and students can come in so that they don’t have to be in the loud hustle and bustle, and that makes them feel better,” Brown said.

Robinson, now an officer for the club, says that the overall aim of the club is to unite people around the school, and inform them about neurodiversity.

We strive to make our community equal and promote learning about different people, different cultures, the different ways that people think,”said Robinson. Senior Lenetha Hayden, is the current president of the club. Through Instagram posts and conversations during meetings, she finds it important that the club works to shut down misconceptions about neurodiversity.

“A lot of people hear that someone may be autistic, and assume that you can’t do this, or you can’t do that, and we want to get rid of that infantilization,” said Hayden “It’s important for neurodivergent people to understand each other and themselves, as well as neurotypical people to be able to understand neurodivergent people.”

Additionally, the club has worked to help members access accommodations in school. Casciano has gained self- esteem and companionship by working with the group.

“Students who need these accommodations aren’t always able to get them, so we want to help with that, and students can come to the club if they need that help,” said Casciano. “I’ve made a lot of friends through [the club], and I’ve gained a lot more confidence.”

Since the majority of the club is Seniors, they will lose a lot of their members. Brown hopes that in their last semester, the graduating class will establish a tradition that will continue even as they move on from high school.

“I hope that we continue to recruit underclassmen,” said Brown, “I want this group right now to use their last semester to establish some kind of program or legacy for the club to continue to do no matter who the students are.”