26 Sep 2023

5 ways to increase inclusivity in a neurodiverse workforce

Traditional working practices are often designed with a neurotypical society in mind, which can make it difficult for neurodivergent employees to thrive

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National Inclusion Week, from 25 September to 1 October 2023 is an annual reminder of why it’s important to embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

With more than 15% of the UK population being made up of neurodivergent individuals, the need for businesses to adapt and support their neurodiverse workforce is more pressing than ever.

The term neurodiversity refers to the way that everyone’s brains naturally work differently from another. Just as you may be born right-handed, where you sit on the cognitive spectrum will be unique to you.

Most people are neurotypical. This means they think and behave in a way that is similar to most other people. But around one in seven people are neurodivergent. This means they behave, think, process and interpret information in ways that differ from most other people.

Traditional working practices are often designed with a neurotypical society in mind, which can make it difficult for neurodivergent employees to thrive at work.

How to support neurodiversity in the workplace

1. Get to know the individual

Try to learn more about your team member’s neurodivergence so that you can best support them.

But remember that even though there are some behaviours or characteristics that are common to neurodivergent conditions, it’s important not to make any assumptions as these will vary from person to person.

2. Provide supportive technology

Assistive technology and equipment may help some neurodivergent employees carry out their roles. For example, people with dyspraxia might experience difficulties with their motor coordination, which can make using office equipment like a keyboard, mouse or printer difficult. Some things you can invest in that might help neurodivergent employees feel more comfortable at work include:

speech-to-text
text-to-speech
mind-mapping software
dictation tools
a digital recorder

3. Communicate clearly

Some neurodivergent employees may communicate in different ways to neurotypical people.

For example, people with autism might not find it easy to read facial expressions or interpret your tone of voice and may take what you say literally. They may not understand things like sarcasm or metaphor, or how to filter out less important information.

So try to use direct language and say exactly what you mean.

4. Assign work tasks appropriately

Try to think about the type of work, tasks and routines that will work best for the individual. For example, some people with ADHD may find static or repetitive work challenging. They might work best in a diverse role, where they can take regular breaks and work flexible hours.

5. Consider the physical environment

Traditional workspaces are often designed with the needs of a neurotypical society in mind. However, bright lighting, lots of noise and interruptions in a busy office may feel overstimulating for some neurodivergent employees. If your employee finds this challenging, you could try:

Investing in adjustable lighting or desk lamps
Using partitions and room dividers or providing a larger personal working space
Providing standing desks
Including clear instructions next to office equipment
Allowing individuals to work from home
Using pens, sticky notes, whiteboards, lockers and boxes to help with memory and organisation

National Inclusion Week offers a timely opportunity for organisations to reinforce their commitment to diversity and inclusivity. By adapting their work practices to support their neurodiverse workforce, organisations can foster a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

Supporting people with neurodiversity in the workplace can help build better working environments that can benefit the entire workforce to create safer and more inclusive workplaces for everyone.