Empowering through peer education

The path to pursuing one’s passion is seldom linear, but that often makes it even more rewarding when one can see it through.

By building his community at TU, neurodiverse peer educator and student Andy Miller found their passion lay in building community spaces for neurodiverse and disabled people.

Empowering neurodiversity on campus 

Through Miller’s journey to connect with others in the spring of their first year at TU, the Neurodiversity Resource Committee found him.

While exploring the Neurodivergent (ND) Involvement Fair on campus, Miller met the small but mighty committee who serve as the ears on the ground for student and campus feedback on neurodiversity programming.

“I was very lucky to have found the Neurodiversity Resource Committee at the fair. I signed up, and that ended up being one of the best things I could have ever done,” they say.

It was one of the impactful experiences at TU that expanded Miller’s understanding of what neurodiversity meant and how to navigate environments that often aren’t crafted with neurodivergent people in mind.

They became a neurodiverse peer educator, working with other students to raise awareness about neurodiversity and empower neurodivergent students on campus to build community.

“None of us are islands. We all rely on each other to survive and to thrive,” Miller says. “That includes neurodivergent and disabled people—communities that often intersect but are not the same—who often struggle to find that community, especially in person.

“That’s where me and the other neurodiverse peer educators come in. We want to help build that on campus and make the overarching community of TU more welcoming to ND people.”

Building confidence through identity

Joining the peer educator program inspired Miller to shift their academic focus from mathematics to public health and adult disability studies in the College of Health Professions. Doing so empowered them to explore their identity further.

One course Miller took — Individuals on the Autism Spectrum (IDHP 300)—shaped how they approached understanding themself and seeking an autism diagnosis.

The course educated Miller and their peers on how to address stereotypes and bias to promote a person-centered approach to holistic community-integration of people on the autism spectrum.

But the most impactful aspect of the course for Miller was volunteering with adults with autism at the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism.

By focusing on the social model of the disability—using journaling-focused activities to do so— the course enabled them to learn more about autism.

“I had this misconstrued idea of what autism was. The course helped me realize I was autistic and gave me the words to describe what I was going through internally,” Miller says.

Seeking an autism diagnosis can be a deeply personal choice. For some, including Miller, getting a diagnosis is a step toward feeling more affirmed in their identity.

“Getting my diagnosis made me feel more confident speaking about [autism] and advocating for others,” Miller says.

Passion meets community-building

One of Miller’s current pursuits is their passion project, ND Community Hangouts.

“These hangouts are for ND people to simply meet and have a structured time to hangout, relax and make friends,” they say.

Developed with adviser Chris Truong, coordinator of neurodiversity-affirming services and staff psychologist in the Counseling Center, ND Community Hangouts include video gaming sessions, mindfulness moments, nature walks and more.

“I’ve found that this—community outreach—is what I want to devote my life to,” Miller says, “and in a time where so many of us are so isolated and scared—not just ND people—it is vital.”

Upcoming ND Community Hangouts

• Unwind Your Mind 4/2 | 2-4 pm | Cook Library
• Nature Nook 4/30 | 2-4 pm | Counseling Center Lawn