Andrea Hosking
Year 4, Faculty of Social Sciences (BSocSc)
March 2024
Singer-songwriter ANDREAH with 10+ million streams
Our brains work in different ways, and what’s normal for one person may be atypical for another. Neurodiversity, which refers to individual differences in cognition, is not a new phenomenon. However, acceptance in the mainstream is still an ongoing process, slowly but surely.
Andrea Hosking, a psychology major in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong, is also the city’s up-and-coming singer-songwriter signed to Sony Music Publishing. While she is an academic high-achiever with a promising music career, there’s more to Andrea than meets the eye.
Her journey to this point has been challenging.
During her early school years, Andrea experienced difficulties with attention and emotional regulation. It became apparent that she found it challenging to focus in class and struggled to maintain friendships, leading to her being labelled as “different.”
After years of conforming to societal expectations on mental disorders, Andrea sought support from a clinical psychologist in 2023. She was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mild autism.
“I didn’t have many friends growing up or people who understood me. I was quite sensitive, and people would tell me I took everything personally. It was sometimes difficult for me to understand jokes,” said Andrea.
“I knew I was different, but I couldn’t figure out why. My family normalised it, and we just thought it was hormonal.”
To optimise Andrea’s learning and social experience at the university, HKU CEDARS-SEN Support has developed a personalised support plan overseen by a dedicated case manager who maintains consistent contact.
They have also assigned an educational psychologist to help Andrea better understand her ADHD and autism, providing relevant tools and methods to enhance her learning.
One of the key accommodations provided to Andrea is a designated quiet room for exams, helping her maintain focus and minimise distractions. Additionally, CEDARS-SEN Support ensures that her professors support her learning accordingly. For example, Andrea receives lecture materials in advance, allowing her to familiarise herself with the content and prepare for class.
“When I take an exam in a hall with 200 students and someone even drops their pencil, my focus instantly goes away, and it becomes extremely difficult for me to continue,” Andrea shared. “Having my own room with complete silence has tremendously helped me focus better and achieve good grades.”
CEDARS-SEN Support facilitates regular counselling sessions for Andrea to address her emotional well-being, helping her manage stress and develop coping strategies. They have also subsidised the cost of her ADHD medication, ensuring uninterrupted access to the treatment she needs.
Andrea’s journey has been one of self-discovery and personal growth. She has become a vocal advocate for raising awareness about ADHD and mental health, using her unique talents as a singer-songwriter to spread her message.
Her passion for music and psychology has converged, and she aspires to become a music psychologist. Andrea aims to explore the profound impact of music on psychological well-being and contribute to the field through research and advocacy. Her experience with ADHD has strengthened her commitment to promoting mental wellness and ensuring that students with similar challenges have access to the support they need.
“The personalised support from CEDARS has transformed my university experience. I feel understood, supported, and empowered to continue my education. I wish more students knew about this support.” she said. Andrea hopes her story will encourage others to ask for the help they need and deserve. Through her advocacy, she is determined to create space for a more inclusive environment for students with ADHD and other neurodiverse conditions.