5 Ways Companies Can Support Neurodiverse Employees

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In today's ever-evolving corporate landscape, diversity and inclusion have become integral to the success and sustainability of any organization. One facet of this diversity is neurodiversity, which encompasses individuals with a range of differences such as autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, dyslexia (as well as dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia ), and more.

Driven by both genetic and environmental factors, an estimated 15-20% of the world's population exhibits some form of neurodivergence. Notably, neurodivergent conditions?are overrepresented in STEM fields . This is because neurodiverse individuals tend to have a greater aptitude for “systemizing” the world around them, which translates into skill sets that are necessary to perform successfully in many STEM fields.

In fact, people with neurological differences often possess many unique strengths that make them a valuable asset to employers. Because neurodiverse people are “wired” differently, they may offer new perspectives and ideas — including ways to improve products or processes.

For example, one article described how a neurodiverse software tester observed that a client’s project always seemed to go into crisis mode before a launch. Intolerant of disorder, they questioned the company’s apparent acceptance of the chaos, which ultimately led their team to successfully redesign the launch process.

Despite their strengths, neurodiverse individuals can find it challenging to work in traditional work settings. According to the University of Connecticut , unemployment for neurodivergent adults runs at least as high as 30% - 40%, which is three times the rate for people with disabilities, and eight times the rate for people without disabilities.

Neurodiverse employees may also struggle to feel accepted in the workplace. In fact, one of the biggest challenges that these individuals experience at work is bias and prejudice, which can lead to discrimination. That’s why companies that are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace must take proactive steps to support neurodiverse employees.

However, in a new study from isolved, nearly 1 out of 5 neurodiverse employees said they don’t feel adequately supported by their organization. Fortunately, many employers — including Google, Microsoft, and Wells Fargo — are focusing on turning this around. For example, there’s the Neurodiversity @ Work Employer Roundtable , a group of nearly 50 companies with neurodiversity hiring programs and support systems in place for new employees.

In today’s article, I’ll explore 5 strategies that companies can employ to create an environment where neurodiverse individuals can thrive. Subscribe to my FREE Workplace Intelligence Insider newsletter and you’ll immediately receive the full article.

And be sure to let me know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.