Unbiased Learning: How AI Tools Empower Neurodivergent Students to Thrive

Challenges Neurodivergent Students Face in Academia

The first time I noticed I was being excluded because of my dyslexia was in my primary school. My teacher placed me outside the classroom so I could “catch up on the reading” without slowing down the rest of the class. This physical separation made it clear that I was an outsider. 

The lack of support, combined with my learning difficulty, led to bullying, isolation, and delayed progress in my education. By the time I turned eleven, I still could not read or write because I had not been given the same opportunities as my peers. Even writing that down makes me feel a profound level of shame and embarrassment. 

Out of the three children placed outside the classroom, I was the only one who miraculously made it to university. That experience shaped my attitude toward education in ways that still haunt me. It taught me to hide my neurodivergence, fearing exclusion and judgment. My teachers offered no additional support or accommodations, forcing my parents to hire a private tutor they could barely afford. With just one hour of help each week, I discovered my strengths and realised I could memorise entire books simply by listening to them being read aloud. It was not that I could not learn; I just learned differently. 

My experience in primary school was not just personal, it reflected a systemic problem. 

Up to 10 per cent of the population are affected by specific learning disabilities (SLDs) such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and autism, which is equivalent to 2 or 3 pupils in every classroom, according to a recent study by academics at UCL and Goldsmiths. Countless students encounter the same barriers I did: a lack of tailored support, judgment from teachers, and a system that assumes everyone learns in the same way.

However, the landscape of education is starting to shift with greater acknowledgement and understanding of neurodivergence as well as the help of technology, including AI.

AI Tools as an Unbiased Resource

AI tools like Scholarcy are providing neurodivergent students with the support they have long been denied. Unlike human educators, AI does not judge, carry unconscious biases, or make assumptions about a student’s abilities. Instead, it offers practical and impartial help, whether it is summarizing complex texts, organizing research, or breaking down information into digestible parts.

When I was studying for my A-levels, I saw firsthand how bias could affect my grades. My work was graded as D’s and E’s when examiners knew I was dyslexic. But when the same papers were re-evaluated anonymously, I received A’s and A*s. This left me questioning whether disclosing my dyslexia was worth the extra time in examinations and whether I would ever be judged fairly based on my abilities.

For students with ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning difficulties, engaging with complex academic material can feel overwhelming. Scholarcy simplifies the reading process, transforming dense texts into clear, focused summaries. It saves students time and it alleviates stress. 

Beyond Scholarcy, other AI tools are now emerging to assist with tasks like time management, personalized feedback, and improving written communication, areas that are particularly challenging for students with attention-deficit disorders. 

Through my work with Scholarcy, I have seen how these assistive technologies allow students to read academic texts with greaer confidence by breaking down material into manageable parts, helping students focus  on key ideas, and engage more with the content. This process not only enhances comprehension but, by building confidence, empowers students to tackle academic challenges independently.

‍Encouraging Disclosure and Reframing Neurodivergence

There has been a significant cultural shift around the stigma of neurodivergence, and one of the most exciting developments is the emergence of AI technologies built specifically for learners. As Professor Brian Butterworth from UCL’s Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience explains, “Each child has a unique cognitive and genetic profile, and the education system should be able to monitor and adapt to the learner’s current repertoire of skills and knowledge.”

Today, tech companies are helping to make this vision a reality by offering assistive technologies that adapt to individual needs and learning styles.

For many students, asking for help can feel risky. Disclosure requires vulnerability, and too often it is met with misunderstanding or judgment. I have experienced this firsthand. Admitting that my dyslexic brain processes information more slowly often meant that I did not receive the help I needed in university. If I could not perform, if I could not complete the coursework on time, if I could not finish the exam… then why was I pursuing higher education? 

Some of the tools available to students today, however, help them to bypass these biases, offering ways to showcase their knowledge and skills without relying on traditional evaluation methods.

Generative AI tools can simplify those complex academic texts, provide text-to-speech support, and give tailored feedback to improve written communication. They can also assist with time management and executive function challenges, helping students plan, stay on track, and focus on the task at hand. Crucially, these tools encourage self-advocacy by teaching students to identify their needs and seek the right kind of support.

Reframing neurodivergence as a strength is essential. I vividly remember breaking out into hives from the stress of examinations. Technology has changed this for me in my career, offering support that allows me to research and write without fear of judgment. By providing adaptive, student-centered solutions, these tools empower learners to succeed on their own terms.

By embracing AI technology and shifting our perspective on neurodivergence, we can build an education system that celebrates differences and equips every student with the tools they need to thrive. For me, the goal is clear: no student should ever be placed outside the classroom simply because they learn differently. Tools like Scholarcy exist to ensure that every learner is given the opportunity to succeed on their own terms.