When one of my teachers begins describing a group project, I often feel a sense of dread. I know that for many students, groups seem to come together like magnets and metal. But for me and many other neurodiverse students, navigating group projects can be challenging. For example, a neurodiverse junior in Academic Choice, who elected to remain anonymous for privacy reasons, finds it stressful “having to rely on others to perform well, as well as having the stress of knowing that others are relying on me.”
Neurodiverse students often have trouble working in a group because they find it difficult to navigate the social dynamics. They may struggle to engage in small talk, which can make it hard to break the ice with members and impact their ability to collaborate. In addition, neurodiverse students often find it challenging to figure out the right balance between working on a group project and socializing with their peers. Some neurodiverse students may find it hard to “turn off ” socializing to instead concentrate on the academic aspects. Other neurodiverse students may be so focused on the demands of the project that they have a hard time being flexible and communicating clearly with others.
Over the years, I have learned several strategies for working well with others, as a neurodiverse student. The first of these is to know yourself. Take some time to reflect on your strengths as a group member, and be prepared to voice your preferred role in a group project to the other members. This can help you to avoid panicking and withdrawing. In addition, knowing your role ahead of time can also help to reduce your stress about a group project.
Secondly, I have found it helpful to understand whether you, in a group setting, tend to be an overachiever or an underachiever. Being an overachiever is when you take on most of the work of the group project, while an underachiever tends to allow others to do most of the work. Clearly, neither is good, but there are ways to deal with both issues. If you are an overachiever, you should politely make it clear to your group mates that everyone needs to contribute to the project and resist the pressure to do too much of the work. If you are an underachiever, make a list of the tasks that need to be completed for the group project and see what has already been done. If you notice that a certain task is not completed, volunteer to do it. This will help foster an environment of collaboration with your group mates.
Many neurodiverse students at Berkeley High School have struggled with group work, and many have managed to overcome their challenges. No matter how hopeless it may seem, everyone is capable of collaborating and working well in a group setting. Sending positive vibes your way!