Team Details:
Principal Investigator
Dr. Siddrah Irfan
Assistant Professor
NUST

Co-PI
Dr. Sahar Nadeem
Director Q&A/Director NIO
NUST

Research Associate
Sara Aleem Haqqi
Lecturer
Muhammad Ali Jinnah University

Research Associate
Ayesha Abreen
MS Student (RA)
NUST

Project Brief:

In Pakistan, there is currently no standard procedure for the inclusion of neurodiverse individuals in higher education institutions as students, nor is there a smooth hiring process for private sector jobs. While a quota exists for individuals with physical disabilities in government jobs, neurodiverse candidates do not receive similar support. This highlights the need to study the reasons behind the lack of inclusivity for neurodiverse individuals in higher education and employability. The proposed triangulation study will provide baseline information about the challenges and opportunities related to the inclusion of neurodiverse youth. This study will focus on two specific groups of neurodivergent youth: those with autism and those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It will employ a mixed-method approach to explore the perceptions of neurodiverse individuals through semi-structured interviews, as well as gather opinions from university teachers and employers from various organizations.

Public Policy Relevance:

There is a national policy on inclusive education that was formulated in 2002. However, due to shifts in societal behavior, educational practices, and employment requirements, this policy has become outdated. Additionally, the policy does not address neurodiversity, which is a significant shortcoming given the increasing prevalence of neurodiversity cases reported in Pakistan. Furthermore, a large portion of the Pakistani population consists of young people below the age of 35. Many of these young individuals with neurodiversity are struggling to function or are not provided with opportunities to live independently. Thus, there is a pressing need to amend the policy to better accommodate diversity and promote inclusivity. This research aims to provide baseline information about the concerns faced by neurodiverse youth, as well as the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of university teachers and employees in various public and private organizations. It will also help to assess the acceptability of, or barriers to, employing neurodiverse individuals and their inclusion in higher education.