The importance of neurodivergent mentorship for the development of professional identity

Abstract

Neurodivergent students are often under-supported in their pursuit of post-secondary education, which can negatively impact engagement and academic outcomes. There is limited research examining the potential of neurodivergent mentorship models within post-secondary education. This opinion piece presents two case studies based on the real-world experiences of neurodivergent mentors and mentees to explore the proposed benefits of neurodivergent mentorship in occupational therapy education. The experiences of neurodivergent mentors and mentees can be used to promote access, equity, inclusivity and justice within healthcare professions.