Neurodiversity 2.0: A Premanifesto

UPDATE: The term "Neurodiversity 2.0" is a term currently in use by Judy Singer, the originator of the term "Neurodiversity". I did not know she was using "Neurodiversity 2.0" when I wrote this, and will not use the term in my future work.

We’ve seen a movement taking the world by storm.?Neurodiversity, which emerged in the 1990’s but has become a talent pipeline strategy for employers in recent years. But as a talent strategy, we stand at the precipice of a whole new phase. I’d like to propose we stand at the brink of?Neurodiversity 2.0.

In the context of this writing, I’m talking about Neurodiversity primarily within the realm of employment, and not tackling the broader social issues beyond that realm.

If we can expect Neurodiversity 2.0, then it only stands to reason that there must have been a Neurodiversity 1.0, and we ought to be able to clearly discern between the two. And I think we can.

Neurodiversity 1.0 is, and was, an important stepping stone for the neurodivergent population to find and retain gainful employment. But it had some opportunities for improvement. Some hallmarks that were common, but not necessarily universal, across Neurodiversity 1.0 efforts:

  • Run?for?neurodivergent people, but not?by?neurodivergent people.
  • Special programs, apart from mainstream talent pipelines.
  • Limited to a narrow subset of the autistic population, which is itself a (larger) subset of the neurodivergent population.
  • Limited to a narrow subset of roles.
  • May not provide a career path / upward mobility.
  • May not have pay equity with mainstream workers who have similar responsibilities.

Neurodiversity 2.0, which has yet to emerge, should likely strive to be recognized by its improvements:

  • Run primarily?by?neurodivergent people?for?neurodivergent people.
  • Focused on mainstreaming inclusive practices into the general workforce.
  • Inclusive of a broader subset of the neurodivergent population, and not just autistic people.
  • Inclusive of all of the same roles available to the general population.
  • Deliberately thoughtful toward developing long-term career plans.
  • Compensation parity with mainstream peers in similar roles is a key performance indicator (KPI).

I wanted to get this down, in writing, as I find myself getting closer to being able to take a serious run at starting a Neurodiversity 2.0 program with a major employer. But I want to put it out there for the larger neurodivergent population to offer up comments, suggestions for improvement, tell me where I screwed up and how I could do this better.

For our neurotypical allies, while I very much want to learn from your successes and failures, I also ask that you make room for the unheard population to speak up and help lead on our next steps forward.

Nothing about us without us.

Disclosure: I am #ActuallyAutistic.

Maria Tello-Carty

Immigration counselor, translator, writer at Center for New Citizens a Latino Non-profit organization

3 年

Hey, we are all challenged somehow, so you will have tons of work Thanks, your writing helped me clarify some of the things that have been bothering me since birth Who decided what’s normal, or whatever? I’m on your side I don’t think perfection exists in humans, we are here to learn, otherwise we would be sitting somewhere else Maybe not even sitting If You don’t understand this rambling don’t look at me Thanks for opening my third eye

Cynthia (Cyd) McLaughlin-Share

Principal Consultant at ISD Consulting

3 年

BTW, I understand that this pre-manifesto is from 2 years ago. I only come to LI about twice a year, plus I was taking a Twitter break. I noticed that LI—or something I did in trying to update my current gig (not the job showing as current), wiped away all of my varied & extensive work history. No wonder no one replies to me!

回复
Aaron Rieske

Full Time Father and Husband

4 年

I can't see anything wrong with your description. Who's the employer? I want in

Chris Turner

Making Neurodiversity Inclusion Simple for HR, D&I and Managers | Neurodiversity Awareness & Inclusion Training | Neurodiversity Inclusion Workplace Coaching for Managers & Teams

5 年

I definitely like the sentiment here. I can find no fault with the descriptors or reasoning and is in fact 100% aligned with the approach that I am taking, so Magnus Hedemark, the next wave of neurodiverse inclusion is starting and it's very exciting to be amongst so many others at the bow wave of that change.

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