The 21st – 27th March 2022 is Neurodiversity Celebration Week and there are many ways you can show support.
What is neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity describes learning differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia and Tourette’s syndrome. These can also be known as autism spectrum or ‘spectrum’ disorders.
In the UK, it is estimated that 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent. This is a lot more common than most people think and probably means that there are neurodivergent people within your workplace.
Here are some values that neurodivergent employees are bringing to your business.
Higher productivity
Businesses with neurodivergent teams have observed a boost in productivity. According to some studies, it has been shown that activity can be 40% above that of a neurotypical person.
Creative problem solving
Neurodiverse individuals have an impressive ability to detect complex pattern ore quickly and easily. This helps them solve complexities of any problem creatively.
Higher retention rate
Like all employees, when they feel supported and encouraged, they stay for longer. Autism hiring programs in companies such as JPMorgan, EY and Microsoft have a retention rate of over 90%.
Attention-to-detail
Neurodivergent people excel in rule-based thinking. Often, these individuals bring a deep concentration to complex and repetitive tasks. They are also excellent at sustaining their attention for long periods of time.
How to be actively inclusive to employees with neurodiversity
Avoid labelling
Labelling those who don’t ‘fit’ the ‘normal’ profile can lead to individuals feeling excluded or treated unfairly.
Create a neurodiversity support toolkit
Clearly state who to contact for assistance. Offer training to employees who are unfamiliar with neurodiversity in order to help them to understand the experiences of their co-workers and use appropriate language to discuss differences to prevent causing offence or speaking out of turn.
Create a friendly and inclusive workplace culture
Where all team members can grow, be respected and supported, and where stigma is challenged and discrimination, prejudice, victimisation, harassment, or lack of inclusion is not permitted. Look after mental health and create safe spaces for all