Ableism and Neurodivergent Students: The Hidden Barrier to College Success and Early Adult Thriving Ableism remains one of the most deeply entrenched yet often invisible systems of discrimination in higher education and early adulthood, profoundly affecting neurodivergent individuals who are navigating critical developmental transitions.  While colleges and universities have made substantial progress in recognizing the academic capabilities of neurodivergent students—with college enrollments of students reporting disabilities rising by more than fifty percent over the past decade [4] [4] —the systemic ableist attitudes, policies, and practices that pervade campus environments continue to undermine their well-being, sense of belonging, and long-term success.  Ableism, broadly defined as the conscious or unconscious attitude or belief that society needs able bodies and minds, with certain abilities like cognition, competitiveness, and speed recognized as intrinsically importan...