Assistive Tech for Neurodivergent Students

Understanding Neurodiversity & Learning: Tools to Help You Thrive

Neurodiversity means recognising and valuing different ways of thinking, learning, and processing — including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and more. For neurodivergent students, traditional learning setups can be challenging — but there’s lots of great tech to help level the playing field.

💭 Common Challenges (and How Tech Can Help)

  • Reading & Processing: Text-heavy content can be overwhelming.
  • Focus & Attention: Staying on task in lectures or study sessions
  • Sensory Sensitivities: Bright lights or noise in classrooms
  • Organisation: Struggling to plan or prioritise tasks

But the flip side? Neurodiverse students often excel in creativity, problem-solving, and unique thinking — and assistive technology (AT) can help unlock that potential.

Explore tools for Reading, Writing, Organisation, and the latest Study Tools & Resources.

Tools That Support Neurodivergent Learners

📝Note-Taking and Organisation

  • Microsoft OneNote: Free with your Student Office 365 Account! Helps with planning, visual thinking, and keeping everything in one place to reduce mental overload. Check out our handy user guide here
  • Genio (Glean) – License available by request! Audio note-taking tool to capture lectures and add your own notes later — great if you find writing everything down hard in the moment. Check out our handy user guide here
  • Notion: Customisable all-in-one workspace. Notion offers a free “Education Plus Plan” for individual students who sign up with a valid .ac.uk email address, providing access to the paid Plus plan features for personal use.
  • NotebookLM: AI-powered notetaking from Google (great for research) 👉 Read our post on NotebookLM
  • Apple Notes: Free on Apple IPad and great for handwritten or typed notes. Apple Notes is simple, searchable, and syncs across devices . You can import lecture slides, record and summarise audio, add videos, pictures and so much more.

✅ Task Management and Executive Functioning Support

  • Microsoft To Do – Microsoft To Do can be a real game‑changer for keeping your student life organised — it’s like having a personal assistant in your pocket that never forgets a deadline. (Free with your student Microsoft 365 account!)
  • Goblin Tools AI tools for breaking down tasks, checking tone, time estimates 👉 Explore our Goblin Tools Guide
  • Todoist – Great for breaking projects into steps

🧠 Mind Mapping and Idea Organisation

⏱️ Focus and Time Management

  • Microsoft Focus Mode – It silences notifications, sets a customisable timer for deep work.
  • Focus Keeper: Pomodoro timer to avoid burnout.
  • Forest: Stay off your phone and grow virtual trees 🌳
  • Clockify: A time tracker that helps manage multiple projects.

📚 Reading and Writing Support

Check out these handy guides: Assistive Tech for Reading & Writing and Assistive Tech for Academic Reading and Understanding

  • Microsoft Co-pilot – Microsoft Copilot empowers students to work smarter by streamlining reading, writing, and organisation. It can summarise dense articles or textbooks into clear, digestible points, help draft and refine essays with polished grammar and structure, and even suggest ideas to strengthen arguments.
  • NaturalReader Online: Converts text to speech
  • Grammarly: Spelling, grammar, clarity (free version available)
  • Google Docs Voice Typing: Built-in speech-to-text
  • Everway Read&Write: Supports reading, writing, and learning, access is free to QUB students 👉 Explore our Read&Write Guide
  • Scholarcy – License available by request! Quickly summarises academic articles, chapters, or reports into key points and flashcards — great for tackling dense readings and saving time on revision. Read our handy guide here.

🧘 Sensory Regulation and Break Management

  • Breathe2Relax (Apple and Google): Guided breathing to calm your system
  • Calm: Mindfulness and meditation app
  • White Noise Lite (Google and Apple): Background sound to aid focus

🧰 Getting Started with Assistive Tech

Not sure where to begin? Here’s how to choose the right tools:

  1. Know Your Needs – What’s most challenging for you?
  2. Pick Your Style – Visual learner? Prefer voice tools?
  3. Start Small – Try 1–2 tools before adding more
  4. Check Device Compatibility – Apple, Android, Windows, etc.
  5. Explore & Adapt – Try free versions and see what sticks

🎯 Try this: AHEAD’s “Discover your AT” tool  helps match tools to your needs.

👉 AI and Accessibility Interactive Guide – explore AI tools that support neurodivergent ways of working

💬 Final Thoughts

AT isn’t just about accommodation — it’s about empowerment. The right tech can help you manage tasks, reduce stress, and unlock the way you learn best.

👋 Got a tool you love? Let us know! Sharing what works can help others find their perfect fit too.

Support and Training 

  • QUB Accessible Learning Service: For personalised support and training, contact the Assistive Technology Coordinator.  
  • IT Helpdesk: For licensing issues or technical support, reach out to the QUB IT Helpdesk.