Mon Sep 30 18:21:14 UTC 2024: ## NLU Delhi Student’s Poignant Essay Highlights Struggles of Neurodiversity in Law School

**New Delhi, India** – A deeply personal essay by Amrutavarshiny Senthil Kumar, a student at the National Law University Delhi, has been posthumously published, shedding light on the often-overlooked challenges faced by neurodivergent students in the competitive environment of law school. Kumar tragically passed away before she could share her reflections on the topic, but her parents have given permission to publish her piece in an effort to honor her voice and spark important conversations about inclusivity and empathy in higher education.

In her essay, Kumar candidly describes the overwhelming pressure and fear she felt as a neurodivergent student navigating law school. She highlights the lack of support and understanding for students with learning differences, leading to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

Kumar describes how law school felt like a “whirlwind,” a constant battle against time pressure and a relentless focus on individual merit. She poignantly expresses how the constant need to “earn respect” by exceeding expectations can be particularly difficult for students with neurodiversity, who might face challenges with focus, memory, and social interaction.

“The easiest way to ensure a neurodivergent disaster is to put them in a vague, opaque setting with lofty goals, unclear instructions and zero guidance or feedback on how to finish it,” she writes. “We will simply give up.”

Kumar calls for a shift in the university’s culture, urging for greater empathy and inclusivity, as well as more accessible resources and support for students with disabilities. She asks thought-provoking questions about the current definition of “merit” and the need for “reasonable accommodations” for neurodivergent students.

“We must want to get better,” she writes, “for otherwise, we leave the vulnerable ones to be doomed.”

Her words are a poignant reminder of the importance of creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students, regardless of their neurodiversity. Kumar’s essay serves as a powerful testament to the need for greater understanding and support for students who are often marginalized in academic settings.

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