Gap Year Pros and Cons for Neurodivergent Students

Some high school seniors, particularly those with ADHD who have experienced persistent academic stress, may benefit from taking a gap year before they begin college, a trade school, or a career. A gap year is a temporary break from higher education. Some students who take a gap year desperately need the time off to decompress, some are uncertain about their direction, and others may want to gain another year of maturity and/or independence before living away at college.

A gap year can provide a teen with the opportunity to work, volunteer, study, travel, and generally take some time to grow and develop. This webinar will provide a basis for caregivers, school counselors, and young people themselves to decide if taking a year off after high school or after a year or two of college is right for their family.

In this webinar, you will learn:

• About the different types of gap year programs most appropriate for neurodivergent students
• About the benefits and drawbacks of taking a gap year
• What research data show about students who take a gap year
• What caregivers should consider, and what counselors might advise, regarding whether a student should pursue a gap year
• About the growing trend of neurodivergent students who are already in their first or second year of college and decide they want to take a gap year