There are several conditions that fall under the Neuro-diverse umbrella to include Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
It is highly unlikely that you will be able to tell just by looking at someone with a neuro-divergent condition that they have one. Some people with Autism for example describe themselves as having a brain that works very differently to those who do not have Autism, yet this won’t always be visible to the naked eye. There may however be signs such as the person struggling to make eye contact, or they may be extremely sensitive to bright lights and loud noises, and if this is not understood, this may come across as the person being rude, or dis-engaging.
Neuro-diversity is about valuing the contributions of neuro-divergent people and having different neuro-divergent experiences represented. Neuro-diversity describes the notion that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; i.e., there is no one “right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.
Neuro-diversity is an important yet often overlooked aspect to diversity at work, but neuro-divergent employees can bring significant strengths to an organisation with the right support measures in place. However, if this is not understood, or embraced, regardless of what the condition is, an employee with a neuro-divergent condition can experience isolation, and other significant issues in the workplace if they do not have the right support and understanding in place.
At TJM Occupational Health and Wellbeing, we are passionate about raising the profile of neuro-divergent workers, and educating employers on the benefits of implementing and promoting an inclusive neuro-diverse workforce.
If you would like further information on how we can support your teams in better understanding Neuro-Diversity in the workplace, please do get in touch.
