Neurodiversity in the Workplace
By the term neurodiversity, we refer to the natural manner in which individuals think, learn, and perceive this world, communicate, and process information in a different way.
People suffering from neurodiversity consist of autistic people with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), as well as other mental conditions plus individuals with learning disabilities.
Apart from this, the group likewise comprises individuals with other developmental and intellectual disabilities along with an extensive array of conditions that have the power to shape learning, thinking, and perceiving this world.
On the contrary, individuals whose nervous systems and brains function “typically” are usually called neurotypical people.
A workplace supporting every type of way to learn, think, communicate, and observe this world will support neurodiversity.
At present, you will come across many individuals across the world including the US who happen to be neurodivergent.
It has been suggested by research that as much as 20% of the total population in the US is neurodivergent.
Here, we like to mention that every neurodivergent individual is different from each other.
Therefore, every neurodivergent individual will be endowed with different expertise and talents in the workplace. Moreover, they will have different support requirements as well.
Neurodiversity benefits in the workplace
It is possible to improve the workplace in various ways by increasing neurodiversity.
Neurodivergent employees will be able to contribute their expertise, talents, and perspectives in such a manner that it can benefit the mission of the company directly while supporting performance and productivity as well.
At present, many employers are able to comprehend these advantages and they have established hiring programs emphasizing hiring neurodivergent employees.
Companies of every size will be able to take advantage of the benefits of supporting neurodiversity in their workplace and using the talents and skills of these types of workers.
Below, we have mentioned certain talents and expertise that you can expect from neurodivergent employees.
• Designing, technical, and creative strengths.
• Creativity and innovation.
• Innovative ways to solve issues.
• Enhanced ability and precision to recognize mistakes.
• Improved levels of concentration.
• Able to perform remarkably well at work that is repetitive or routine in nature.
• Persistence and dependency.
• Powerful recall of info and factual knowledge in detail.
It’ll be possible for the companies to have a competitive edge by recruiting neurodivergent workers, often providing them with cultural as well as fiscal benefits.
During the last 10 years, many companies such as small businesses, federal agencies, and Fortune 500 companies in the US as well as other countries of the world have introduced neurodiversity hiring programs effectively.
These companies design their programs to match the strengths, talents, requirements, and expertise of neurodivergent employees.
It’ll be possible for companies to recruit talented employees by adopting these programs to promote enhanced inclusion in workplaces.
The typical practices consist of the following:
• Forming collaborations with local and state agencies, nonprofit organizations, as well as service providers.
• Coming across alternative methods to evaluate job candidates.
• Adopting training and mentorship programs to provide support for neurodivergent employees.
Incorporating neurodivergent employees
At present, you will come across lots of neurodivergent individuals who are unemployed or under-employed.
It is a fact that different aspects of the recruitment process might pose some challenges that might not allow neurodivergent job candidates to make an application for open positions.
These consist of comprehending job requirements, communication, and social barriers, as well as access to various online systems to apply to jobs and evaluate the job candidates.
In this manner, companies are figuring out ways to align their recruitment and hiring procedures with more inclusive HR (human relations) practices.
It is possible for neurodivergent employees to take advantage of their full inclusion in the workplace to a great extent.
Lots of neurodivergent individuals such as autistic people are in the habit of sharing their common experiences of stigma and discrimination in work settings.
This stigma can be fixed by efforts to provide support to enhanced inclusion in the workplace, particularly when neurodivergent employees are incorporated actively to enhance workplace inclusion.
Apart from this, neurodivergent employees report greater self-esteem and confidence when their job duties match properly with their set of strengths, skills, and talents just like the other employees.
Workplace inclusion will also be helpful to lots of neurodivergent individuals in terms of gaining confidence in other aspects like taking part in their interpersonal connections and community activities.