This guide is for HR professionals and leaders across functions who want to learn more about neurodiversity, the benefits for their organisation, and how they can support neurodivergent people to be comfortable and successful at work.

The guide has two main aims: first, to raise awareness of neurodiversity in the workplace; and second, to inspire more employers to action – to take steps to encourage neurodiverse job applicants, remove potential ‘friction points’ in the hiring process and to support their staff to achieve their potential.

You’ll find practical examples from organisations already appreciating the benefits of a neurodiverse workforce and actively supporting their staff. Through our case study research, it’s clear that adjustments made to enable neurodivergent individuals to thrive at work frequently benefit everyone. Most are low-cost and easy to implement – and can make a significant difference to an individual’s working life, their potential to contribute to the organisation and to build a lasting career.

This guide provides the starting point for both greater awareness and action. Sections of the guide cover definitions and understanding of neurodiversity as it relates to the workplace, the case for action (and risks of inactivity) and how you can make both your people management approach and workplaces more ‘neurodiversity smart’. There is equal emphasis on the necessary culture change needed for greater understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity – and its value to employers – and tangible action steps that can be taken to create a more inclusive, engaged, and potentially more innovative organisation.

This guide, produced in collaboration with Uptimize, is intended to encourage employers to create more inclusive workplaces where neurodivergent individuals can thrive. We hope the practical suggestions are a useful starting point for action and help develop greater confidence in talking about and embracing neurodiversity at work.

About this guide

Neurodiversity explained

Why neurodiversity matters

Common neurodivergent thinking styles

Dyslexia as it relates to the workplace

Dyspraxia as it relates to the workplace

ADHD as it relates to the workplace

Less common aspects of neurodivergence

Neurodiversity and mental health

Making recruitment and selection neurodiversity smart

Managing a neurodiverse team

Building an inclusive, neurodiverse workplace

The following is not an exhaustive or prescriptive list – rather, they are prompts for action to be tailored to your specific organisation context.

Case studies

Acknowledgements

Useful resources

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