Neurodiversity 101:The Power of Storytelling

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”― Philip Pullman

I was thinking of the power of storytelling and how when we engage one to one and understand personal challenges and what has helped makes us remember the reason for doing what needs to be done and create more neuroinclusive societies.

Next week is Celebrating Neurodiversity week... take 10 minutes and listen to one of your colleagues and learn what matters to them.is week of Celebrating Neurodiversity take 10 minutes and listen to one of your colleagues and learn what matters to them.

When someone tells me a story I remember how I feel.

Why am I so passionate about neurodiversity is that it has meaning and is real to me every day. It is personal. I am grateful to the many people who have supported and understood my children and grandchildren over the years and created opportunities for success and to showcase their talents. One good conversation with someone who 'get's you' can make all the difference to someone's life..... I mean it ... don't you remember someone who believed in you and it had a lasting impact.

If you have had a relatively easy time in education and in gaining jobs and progressing try to take 10 minutes in the next couple of weeks to have a coffee/tea/water with someone and learn from them what makes a difference to them or could make things better.... We may find together 2 by 2 we can make the world a more neuroinclusive place.

Why stories matter

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have for engaging, educating, and inspiring change. In the context of neurodiversity and inclusion, stories do more than just entertain—they help break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and foster deeper understanding.

Facts and statistics may provide insight, but it is stories that resonate emotionally and motivate action.

Stories make neurodiversity personal

Many people struggle to understand the lived experiences of neurodivergent individuals simply by reading policies or guidance documents.

Stories provide context and real human connection, enabling people to relate to the experiences of others. When we hear someone’s personal journey—whether it’s about the challenges of navigating the workplace or the strengths a colleague can't show.

When we connect on a deeper level, making inclusion happen feels more relevant and urgent.

Stories challenge stereotypes

Neurodivergent individuals are often reduced to labels and stereotypes. It can mean people assume you can or cannot do something. The Rain Man narrative or seeing everyone with autism being good at IT.

A single narrative about autism, dyslexia, ADHD, or many many other neurodivergent experiences distils what we know into very narrow concepts. It never capture the diverse range of strengths, challenges, and lived realities within so many different communities. It never describes each person.

Authentic storytelling helps dismantle stereotypes by showcasing the full spectrum of our experiences, demonstrating that neurodivergence is not a limitation but simply a different way of thinking and interacting with the world. When we understand this we start to talk to each and everyone in a more respectful and interested manner.

Stories drive engagement and motivation

Research shows that our brains are wired for stories—when we listen to a compelling narrative, we release dopamine, which helps with memory retention and engagement. This is why storytelling is a highly effective tool for workplace training, leadership development, and advocacy. When a team member shares their story of how a small adjustment made a huge difference in their productivity, it creates a more persuasive case for inclusive workplace policies than a corporate directive alone. Zak was one of the first researchers to discover that the neurochemical oxytocin is synthesised in the human brain when one is trusted and that the molecule motivates reciprocation. A conversation and listening to a story is a 2-way interaction and increases social interaction between people.. you can forge bonds.

Stories create psychological safety

One of the biggest barriers to inclusion is fear—fear of speaking up, of being misunderstood, or of not being accepted. When neurodivergent individuals hear others openly sharing their journeys, they feel safer to express their own challenges, strengths, and needs. This, in turn, encourages workplaces to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard. It also grows allies and enables bonds to be formed. But it needs to come with a warning too... if the response is not a positive and open one it can result in re-scarring of old wounds in earlier lives...

Stories inspire action

A well-told story does not just inform—it sparks action ( listen to Simon Sinek talking about this). Imagine a leader who hears about an employee’s struggle with sensory overload and what that actually means to them when they work in an open-plan office. Leaders who tell about their experiences tell us others that it is OK to tell their story.

A personal story may prompt them to rethink how the office could be redesigned, introduce flexible working options, or implement noise-cancelling solutions. Stories move people beyond awareness and toward meaningful change.

It could also be a young person listening to someone like them who has become successful in something they want to do and be such as the footballers who have been telling their tale.

Tell your story- but prepare it first

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

― Maya Angelou

• Determine your message.?What is the succinct, “sticky” message that you want people to walk away with? Stories allow the person to remember complex information and make it real.
• Think of a past event from your life when you learned a lesson that relates to that message.?Think personal—family stories,experiences when things went well, a story about what barriers you had to find a way around.
• Link the personal message to your work setting . What could this mean in this place and for others.

Bringing neurodiversity stories to the forefront in every workplace

What can your organisations do to use storytelling to enhance neuroinclusion?

Here are a few practical ways:

• Encourage neurodivergent employees to share their experiences (only if they feel comfortable) through blogs, internal newsletters, or video testimonials.
• Use storytelling in training and awareness programmes to make neurodiversity education more engaging and impactful.
• Create safe spaces—such as employee resource groups—where individuals can share their journeys without fear of judgment. Different groups engaging can mean we learn from each other.
• Highlight success stories that showcase how neurodivergent thinking has contributed to innovation and business success.

So what do you think?

Storytelling is not just a tool for education—it is a catalyst for cultural change.

“Listen, and you will realize that we are made not from cells or from atoms. We are made from stories.”― Mia Couto

By amplifying the voices of neurodivergent individuals, we can move beyond policies and compliance toward a more empathetic, inclusive, and innovative world. Let’s share stories that challenge, inspire, and create lasting impact.

How has storytelling helped you better understand neurodiversity?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Think of some of the stories you have heard how did it impact on your world... it is when we know the person and not the label we can want to make change happen because it is personal.

#Neurodiversity #Inclusion #Storytelling #PsychologicalSafety #Leadership #Innovation

Blog Author

I am Amanda Kirby, CEO of Do-IT Solutions a tech-for-good company that delivers consultancy and guidance, consultancy, training and web-based screening tools that have helped 10s of 1000s of people.

Contact us and we can discuss how we can help.

We strive to deliver person-centered solutions relating to neurodiversity and wellbeing.I am a mixed bag of experiences and skills and have 25+ years of working in the field of neurodiversity.

I am a medical doctor, Professor, and have a Ph.D. in the field of neurodiversity; most important of all I am a parent and grandparent to neurodivergent wonderful kids and am neurodivergent myself.I am getting older too!

I have written 10 books so far.Theo Smith and I wrote the UK award-winning book?Neurodiversity at Work Drive Innovation, Performance, and Productivity with a Neurodiverse Workforce. My 11th book came out in 2023 Neurodiversity and Education. We have a new one (Theo and myself ) coming out this year about parenting and ND... watch this space....