1. Arash E. Zaghi, PhD, PE University of Connecticut
Keywords: Creativity, Neurodiversity, ADHD
Promoting Innovation by Encouraging the Participation of Students with ADHD in Engineering
Arash E. Zaghi, PhD, PE
University of Connecticut

2. Why?
Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD) are largely underrepresented in engineering, despite offering significant creative potential
Nontraditional thinkers often offer innovative solutions
My goal is to understand the challenges and unique potential of students with ADHD to increase their participation in engineering

3. When? The knowledge base was obtained trough two NSF-Funded projects:
Unique Potential and Challenges of Students with ADHD in Engineering Programs
REU Site: Research Experience in Cyber and Civil Infrastructure Security for Students with ADHD: Fostering Innovation
My main motivation is my personal experience with ADHD and its challenges

4. Where?
The University of Connecticut holds an NSF REU Site specialized for engineering students with ADHD
Students join different engineering labs where they work directly with graduate and faculty mentors and attend workshops to help them realize their unique talents

5. What? Students with ADHD face challenges in structured programs
Engineering education needs to embrace divergent thinkers and their creative solutions
Students with ADHD may learn better through hands-on research than in typical classroom settings

6. Prognosis?
Impact is documented by in-depth discussions with participants throughout the program as well as surveys
I hope similar programs at other universities will be developed to capitalize on the unique strengths of neurodiverse students
Need to change the paradigm from “disability” to “diversity” and realize untapped potentials
I would like to learn from the participants how we can make engineering more welcoming to nontraditional students