12: What New Research Says on Neurodiversity in STEM

On this episode of Square Pegs, we are joined by Connie Syharat, a doctoral student in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education. Connie shares reflections about her experiences working on neurodiversity-related research within UConn’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, culminating with a discussion of her current research as part of a team investigating the experiences of neurodiverse graduate students in STEM fields.

Today’s conversation brings us through the major findings from a series of 10 focus groups with neurodiverse graduate students, as we meander through topics like procrastination, productivity, and perfectionism. Connie shares insights about the ways neurodiverse grad students may internalize the neurotypical norms of the graduate school, hide their struggles in the face of what they perceive as threatening power dynamics, and ultimately feel immense pressure to mask their neurodiversity, risking overwork and burnout. Join us as we delve into what the research is saying about the real cost of navigating advanced STEM programs as a neurodiverse graduate student.

Square Pegs is a series of intimate conversations about navigating life and learning within the neurodiverse community, hosted by Dr. Arash Zaghi, Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Engineering. In each episode, we talk to neurodiverse students and experts in the field of neurodiversity.

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00:55 Guest intro: Connie Syharat, Research Assistant at UConn Civil and Environmental Engineering and doctoral student in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at UConn’s Neag School of Education.

02:48 Making room for exploration and wonder in a strengths-based research environment for students with ADHD.

05:30 How can students bring their whole self to the classroom?

06:00 What the research says, introducing a recent publication titled “Experiences of neurodivergent students in graduate STEM programs.”

10:30 “Why can’t I be like them?” Graduate students feel pressure to conform to the expectations built into the system and often struggle with negative self-judgments.

14:40 Procrastination: an unhealthy habit or the “magic” tool that helps get things done? Strategies, fake deadlines, and fine-tuning your procrastination for the realities of grad school.

26:45 Self-silencing and power dynamics: Neurodiverse graduate students often hide their struggles, avoid seeking help, and take on too much, leaving no space for self-care.

31:30 The importance of down time for creativity and a discussion of the productivity culture of academia.

42:00 The cost of masking can include burnout, depression, anxiety, and physical health impacts. How can we tell if it is a safe atmosphere to unmask or disclose a diagnosis?

53:00 Finding a compatible advisor, talking about work style, communicating your strengths and weaknesses, and how bringing your whole self can help you make a deeper contribution to your work.

1:00:00 Final thoughts and reflections.