Creating Workplaces Where Neurodivergent Employees Can Thrive

Creating workplaces where everyone can thrive requires listening to those with lived experiences. At ND Perspective, we turned to our neurodivergent community to ask a vital question:

What changes are needed in work so that neurodivergent people are included, valued, and empowered to succeed?

Their responses offer profound insights into the barriers they face and the solutions needed to foster inclusivity. In this blog, we explore their suggestions, highlighting practical steps employers can take to create environments where neurodivergent employees can truly excel.

Mandatory Neurodiversity Training for Managers

Education is essential. For workplaces to be genuinely inclusive, managers need to understand neurodivergence and the diverse ways people think and process information. Compulsory training on neurodiversity would help leaders approach their roles with empathy and understanding, creating environments where all employees feel supported and empowered.

Clear and Immediate Communication

Clarity is vital. Ambiguous instructions or delayed feedback create unnecessary challenges. Providing clear, written instructions ensures everyone understands expectations. If mistakes occur, addressing them immediately and constructively allows employees to learn and improve. Errors often stem from unclear guidance, not a lack of capability, and transparency can resolve this.

Expanding Access to Workplace Support

The limitations of the current Access to Work (A2W) scheme, particularly its sector-based exclusions, create inequities. Making A2W universally accessible would ensure all employees can access the tailored accommodations they need, including travel support, which is often overlooked by employers.

Flexibility and Adaptability in Management

Flexibility is essential. Employers should adapt their management styles not only when requested by employees but proactively. Creating a culture that values accommodations as tools for success, rather than inconveniences, fosters trust and collaboration.

Reducing the Burden of Advocacy

The emotional and mental toll of constantly advocating for necessary changes can be overwhelming. Employers must take responsibility for identifying and addressing barriers without placing the burden solely on neurodivergent employees. Systems and processes must be designed with inclusivity and accessibility built in from the start.

Universal Design and Practical Adjustments as Standard Practice

Workplaces must adopt universal, human-centred design principles that address shared traits, such as sensory sensitivity, executive functioning challenges, or communication needs—benefiting all employees, including those with temporary challenges. Practical adjustments, such as providing meeting agendas, pre-reads, clear templates, and written follow-ups with deadlines, should become standard practice. These measures foster clarity, reduce stress, and ensure all employees are well-prepared and supported without needing to request accommodations.

By listening to the ND Perspective Community, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of the changes needed to make workplaces more inclusive, equitable, and empowering for neurodivergent employees. These suggestions serve as a roadmap for organisations to move beyond tokenistic approaches and create a culture where all employees can thrive.

Together, we can build workplaces where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed.

Breaking Barriers: Making Healthcare Accessible for Neurodivergent People

Accessing healthcare can be challenging for neurodivergent people due to systemic barriers and a lack of understanding within services. To explore ways to address these challenges, we asked the ND Perspective Community:

“How can we make healthcare more accessible for neurodivergent people?”

Their responses offer valuable insights into the changes needed to create inclusive, effective, and compassionate healthcare for all.

Increasing Understanding in Healthcare Settings

One of the most pressing issues raised was the lack of understanding about neurodivergence in healthcare. Mental health and crisis teams often lack training in how conditions like autism and ADHD impact patients’ needs. Treatments and action plans are frequently designed for neurotypical patients, leaving neurodivergent people unable to engage effectively. This can lead to harmful outcomes, such as being discharged during a crisis due to perceived "non-engagement".

Given the higher rates of suicide among autistic people, this approach is not just inappropriate—it’s dangerous. The community suggested implementing mandatory training, such as the Oliver McGowan training and the continued rollout of the National Autism Training Programme (NATP), to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge to adapt their approaches.

Learning from Neurodivergent Employees in Healthcare

The healthcare sector employs many neurodivergent staff whose lived experience could offer invaluable insights. These employees are uniquely positioned to inform policies, training, and practices. Involving neurodivergent healthcare professionals in developing inclusive practices could help bridge the gap between theory and real-world care.

Training for GPs and Community-Based Solutions

GPs are often the first point of contact for neurodivergent patients, yet many lack the training to identify and advocate for their needs. Targeted training for GPs could ensure earlier interventions and more tailored support. Additionally, the shift from hospital-based care to community treatment could be beneficial, provided community services are designed with accessibility and inclusivity in mind.

Removing Stigma and Assumptions

The ND Perspective Community highlighted the harmful impact of stigma and assumptions in healthcare. Many neurodivergent people remain undiagnosed, often due to a lack of recognition or support in early life. As a result, when they seek healthcare, particularly in times of crisis, their needs are frequently misunderstood or dismissed.

One community member shared an example of a woman in crisis who was referred to A&E. Poor communication and a lack of understanding led to inappropriate follow-up, leaving her more vulnerable than before. This story underscores the need for crisis services that respect neurodivergent needs, such as allowing trusted supporters to attend assessments and ensuring proper communication and care pathways.

Improving Support for Domestic Abuse Survivors

Another important issue raised was the lack of accessible support for domestic abuse survivors. Current resources often cater to traditional social norms, failing to account for the unique dynamics of neurodivergent households. For instance, while free rail travel for domestic abuse survivors is a valuable initiative, it assumes a conventional understanding of abuse that may not align with the experiences of neurodivergent people. Adapting these services to be more inclusive could provide life-saving support for those in need.

Flexible and Clear Communication

Flexibility and clarity in communication were key recommendations from the community. Neurodivergent patients benefit from multiple ways to access care, such as written, verbal, or virtual methods, as well as clear and specific directions. Healthcare providers must also respect accommodations, like hidden disability lanyards, and prioritise creating supportive environments.

The Path Forward

The ND Perspective Community’s responses make it clear: systemic change is needed to make healthcare accessible for neurodivergent people. From improving training and drawing on the insights of neurodivergent employees to designing inclusive and adaptable services, every step matters. By fostering understanding, eliminating stigma, and prioritising flexibility, healthcare systems can ensure that neurodivergent patients receive the care and respect they deserve.

A Community Perspective: Transforming Education for All

At ND Perspective, we believe that lived experiences and diverse voices are essential to creating meaningful change. To explore how education can better support everyone to reach their full potential, we turned to the ND Perspective Community and asked:

“What changes are needed in education so people are better able to reach their full potential?”

The insights shared reflect the collective experiences and expertise of a neurodivergent community, offering a powerful perspective on the changes needed to build a more inclusive and supportive education system. This article presents their ideas and aspirations for a system that values every learner, fosters growth, and reduces unnecessary barriers.

Building a Trauma-Informed Approach :

A recurring theme from the community was the need to eliminate practices that inadvertently cause trauma, particularly for neurodivergent students. These practices include:

Avoiding Public Humiliation: Activities like reading aloud, peer-marking work, or sharing test scores publicly can be deeply humiliating for those who struggle. Removing these practices can create a safer and more equitable learning environment.

Eliminating Shouting: Shouting in the classroom, even when aimed at others, can cause distress for students with heightened sensitivities. Alternative disciplinary methods focused on understanding and teaching are more effective.

Ending Unfair Penalties: Penalising messy handwriting, forgotten items, or non-compliance with strict uniform policies disproportionately affects students with executive functioning challenges or sensory sensitivities. A kinder, more flexible approach would ensure that students are not unfairly punished for circumstances beyond their control.

Recognising Hidden Needs:

The community emphasised the importance of supporting those without formal diagnoses. Many students face long waits for diagnoses or have needs that go unrecognised. By prioritising a needs-first approach, schools can provide support to all students, ensuring no one is left behind due to systemic delays or oversights.

Rethinking Behaviour Management:

A significant shift is needed in how behaviour is perceived and managed. Instead of labelling "bad behaviour" as negative, educators should view it as communication. Understanding the root causes of behaviour allows for compassionate, tailored interventions that address underlying needs rather than simply managing symptoms.

Revolutionising the Education System:

The community called for a fundamental overhaul of the education system, advocating for:

Flexibility and Hybrid Learning: Offering online and hybrid learning as standard would better accommodate diverse learning styles and needs while making efficient use of resources.

Improved SEND Provision: Early interventions and tailored support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) should become standard practice.

Fair and Inclusive Policies: Students should not be punished for factors beyond their control, such as a lack of proper footwear due to family circumstances. Policies must reflect compassion and an understanding of students’ realities.

Addressing Higher Education:

University education also requires reform, particularly in courses like psychology and social sciences. The community noted that these courses often focus rigidly on diagnostic criteria without recognising the complexities of neurodiversity. Incorporating the strengths and positive contributions of neurodivergent learners would benefit students and prepare future professionals to better understand and support diverse populations.

Preparing for a Neurodiverse Future:

With autism diagnoses on the rise, the education system must adapt to meet the needs of an increasingly neurodiverse population. Failure to act now risks creating an unprepared system within the next two decades.

A Humanistic Approach:

Community voices highlighted that when all students are treated with the same understanding and support currently reserved for a fortunate few, education will be transformed. A humanistic approach that celebrates strengths, accommodates differences, and fosters self-worth is essential for creating a system where every learner can thrive.

Closing Note:

The ND Perspective Community has made it clear: change in education is not just desirable; it is necessary. By listening to lived experiences and embracing flexibility, compassion, and inclusivity, we can create an education system that empowers every learner to reach their full potential. The time for reform is now.