Marlou Heskes-van ‘t Hoofd and Manon Krabbenborg, both of whom work at Fontys University of Applied Sciences, were proud and happy when they received a three-year Comenius Leadership Grant for WAVE. ASML contributed an additional subsidy, allowing the program to run for a total of four and a half years. After six months of preparation, the program officially launches this Wednesday.

WAVE was born out of Career Jumpstart, a collaboration between Fontys and TU/e that supports graduating students with a neurodivergence – such as ASD (autism), ADHD, or dyslexia – in finding a suitable (graduate) internship or job. “Thanks to ASML’s contribution, we can now also focus on students in senior secondary vocational education (MBO) and secondary school students,” says Krabbenborg.

Brain manual

“At Career Jumpstart, we found out that starting this kind of program at the end of a student’s studies is really too late.” That’s because they have to function in a neurotypical world, Heskes explains. “They’re so focused on what goes wrong that they’re not aware of their talents and strengths.” She calls this self-stigma.

That is why WAVE focuses not only on career competencies, but on self-development as well. And the starting point is deliberately set earlier in the educational journey. “After all, it takes some time to become familiar with your own brain manual,” as Heskes puts it.

Wicked

WAVE aims to expand knowledge on how to optimally support neurodivergent students in their self-development and career skills. To that end, four teams of design thinkers made up of students, teachers and professionals will develop learning activities.

What exactly will these learning activities look like? Krabbenborg and Heskes are not sure yet. “It could be anything from a podcast to a festival.” And that not-knowing is exactly the right starting point, Heskes emphasizes. “This is what we call a wicked problem. If it were a straightforward issue, the solutions would already exist.”

Brainpower

Employees at ASML who are themselves neurodivergent also participate in WAVE. The company offers work experience positions and internships specifically for neurodivergent entry-level employees. And that’s no unnecessary luxury, according to the two WAVE initiators. They effortlessly bring up the relevant statistics: for example, unemployment rates are highest among professionals with ASD (autism).

Such a shame, they think. According to them, the diversity of brainpower that neurodivergent brains provide is indispensable. Not just in the workplace, where every person is needed right now, “but also for solving complex world problems. We can’t do that without the sharp and out-of-the-box input of neurodivergent thinkers.”

In short, WAVE’s focus is on the positive value of neurodiversity. And that’s reflected in the name: “We Appreciate, Value & Empower”.

Lecturers

For those who would like to contribute to WAVE, more information can be found on the website. “Anyone with an affinity for neurodivergence is welcome. We’re also looking for TU/e lecturers who are interested in improving their guidance skills for this particular group of students.” In addition to design thinkers for the teams, so-called “fresh thinkers” are also welcome. They meet four times a year to contribute ideas.

Main photo: some of the WAVE participants