I consider my personal convocation experience to be invisibilized in that it was a neurodivergent convocation celebration
And a neurodivergent celebration is unlike a neurotypical celebration, because the convocation of a neurodivergent person does not merely recognize the achievement of a degree or the completion of studies
No, the convocation of a neurodivergent student is a marker of resilience and a victory against all odds
It is the triumph of surviving or even daring to thrive in a system that is not designed to work in the favour of students whose minds may work differently
Like rowing a boat against the current
It is trying to get to the same destination as peers while having to follow different directions entirely

I want to pride myself in reaching this milestone
Like doctors have the initials M.D. upon completing their degree,
I think to myself,
If only I could do so without stigma,
I would write McMaster Graduate, B.A., ND (Neurodivergent) next to my name
And honour that part of my identity
Allowing myself to be recognized as part of a community
Who may have had experiences similar to me

– Anonymous McMaster Graduate, B.A., Neurodivergent, Class of 2022

Artist Statement

For any person, graduation is a meaningful life event worth celebrating. While I was fortunate to have graduated alongside peers and have loved ones, friends, and colleagues support me during my undergraduate studies, I couldn’t help but reflect upon the fact that I had taken a very different journey to get to graduation, compared to many of my peers. Yes, we all made it to the same destination, but the road to getting here, for me, was one that was sometimes lonely and confusing. I often had to expend much more time and energy than my peers to meet course requirements and succeed at certain assessments because the nature of the assessment was catered to neurotypical students. The delivery of course material and teaching methods were designed for neurotypicals to follow. I had to work around and sometimes even do what felt like work against a system that was not built to suit my needs. That is why I state that “I want to pride myself in reaching this milestone”. Because while convocation is an accomplishment to take pride in, I acknowledge that I overcame many obstacles that could have otherwise hindered me further.