Problem solving is Ben Luxmann’s jam.
At 20 years old, Ben is thriving in his role as an ICT Service Desk Analyst at TAFE Gippsland. As someone with Autism and ADHD, he brings a unique perspective to the team and a strong set of skills that help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.
As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Ben sat down with Senior Team Leader Learning Skills Rochelle Mather to talk about his experiences, with the aim of inspiring and encouraging neurodivergent students to pursue their passions and believe in their ability to build a rewarding career.
“At work and during learning, the physical environment is extremely important as I often find myself disoriented by bright lights, constant loud noises or even the general office background noises that most neurotypical individuals may be able to filter out,” Ben explained.
“I like to work using active noise-cancelling headphones in the office space. Having a notebook on hand whenever I’m given instructions is also extremely important to my learning style. Keeping my calendar filled with tasks also helps me digest what I can do in a day and stay on task and focused.”
Ben plays an important role within the ICT team, managing TAFE Gippsland’s internal warehouse and computer fleet while also providing ICT support for staff across the organisation.
While he enjoys the repetitive and structured nature of his role, Ben also excels at thinking outside the box. He has a strong ability to pick up nuances in text-heavy documents and often finds innovative ways to approach complex requests.
“Being in an environment where it’s encouraged to seek, study and understand problems or new technology in today’s world is something that I love to do,” Ben said.
“Your needs in a classroom or at work don’t make you less of a person. Being neurodivergent can be a strength — it can help you see things nobody else can and provide innovative ideas or solutions to problems.”
With the support of his team, Ben has been able to develop strategies and tools that help him manage his working environment and thrive in his training journey.
So, what advice would he give to a neurodivergent student thinking about studying or starting a career?
“There are people here who will listen and support you to be the best you can be at TAFE,” he said.
“Be open about your neurodiversity. The more stories that are out there in TAFE, the more we can strive to be better and support our current and future students who may need extra support.”
If you’re navigating study with neurodiversity and would like some additional tips, tricks and support with your learning needs, please email our Learning Skills team at studentsupport@tafegippsland.edu.au.
For more information about Neurodiversity Celebration Week, visit their website.
