Neurodiversity and Recruitment in the Workplace

A guest blog from an internationally recognised expert in Neurodiversity, Professor Amanda Kirby CEO of Do-IT Solutions. 

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Evenbreak.

The term “Neurodiverse”

About 1 in 8 people in the work place are thought to be Neurodiverse (ND). The term is thought to be coined by Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist in the 1990s. It recognises the fact that our brains (neuro-) naturally vary from person to person (are diverse) and are a part of human variation. 

The use of the term has been gaining traction more recently as terms like ‘learning difficulties’, ‘hidden impairments’ and developmental disorder may be seen to have more focus on what people can’t do instead of showcasing their talent and ability.

Many international companies are seeing the business benefits of ensuring inclusive approaches, policies, and practices for hiring Neurodivergent talent. This goes hand in hand, of course, with meeting their legal obligations. 

Neurodiverse conditions

Under the Neurodiversity umbrella, conditions may include:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Condition – including Asperger’s syndrome 
• Developmental Language Disorders
• Dyscalculia
• Dyslexia
• Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (also known as Dyspraxia)
• Tic disorders (including Tourette’s syndrome)

These conditions, although seen as separate, in reality all often overlap with one another. Each person has a unique pattern of both strengths and challenges. There is no ‘typical’ person with Dyslexia for example. This is important as two people with the same ‘label’ or diagnosis will have different patterns of strengths and challenges, but the name given to strengths and challenges may represent the one that has been diagnosed. 

Neurodiversity and mental health

Our brains don’t separate emotion from doing and being so it is not a surprise to see that anxiety and depression can also be greater challenges for some people who are Neurodivergent.

Discrimination in the workplace

In employment there may be an assumption that the person will tell you they are Neurodiverse either when applying or at interview. But not everyone will feel confident disclosing that they have Dyslexia or ADHD. There may be different reasons for this. Some people may be concerned by how others view them because of negative past experiences. In a recent report from the Westminster Achievability Commission ‘Neurodiverse Voices – opening doors to employment’, 52% of Neurodiverse people had experienced discrimination during the interview or selection processes; 58% of people had regretted disclosing their condition; 73% of people had not disclosed their condition at all during interview.

Gender disparities

Some people may have been unsupported at school or in adulthood. This is especially true of women, where research is only now emerging in the understanding of what ADHD or Autism, for example, is like for women. In the past assessment processes may have viewed Neurodiversity through a more male lens in term of experiences and challenges.

Inclusive hiring processes

The recruitment processes, if not accessible, may turn talent away without the company realising it. Websites with job descriptions that include skills that are not specifically required for the job and application forms that ‘time out’ if you are slower entering the information can be some of the reasons for this.

The interview process may also create a barrier for some to succeed. Many adjustments can be easily implemented. These can include sending clear instructions about the venue, providing the format of the interview with timings and questions beforehand, and ensuring tasks undertaken in the interview align to the job. For example, asking the applicant to do a presentation when good oral communication is not a key part of the job could put off good candidates. Providing visits before the interview and work trials can be of real assistance.

Support in the workplace

When someone is in a job, line managers may lack confidence or avoid discussion about support needs in case they make a mistake or cause offence. There is much debate about the ‘correct’ language to use. For example, there are identity-first language and person-first language such as ‘dyslexic’ or a ‘a person with dyslexia’. There is no right or wrong and each person will take their own stance and so best to ask them how they describe themselves.

By taking a person-centred stance and asking the person what their challenges are, what can help they need, the line manager doesn’t need to be an expert in every condition. Support strategies may in reality be easy to do, such as agreeing on preferred methods for communication and having regular meetings to set priorities. They are often not costly but can result in real business benefits attracting, harnessing and retaining neurodiverse talent. 

Do-IT Solutions

Do-IT Solutions are a tech-for-good company providing training and unique screening tools for companies to help support people with Neurodiversity to make reasonable adjustments. They have launched an innovative  and accessible ND-App meaning that everyone can gain a picture of their strengths and challenges to take the first steps to maximise their talents.

Browse disability-friendly employers and find talented Neurodiverse candidates on Evenbreak’s job board.

Want to learn more about neurodiversity? Explore 5 Top Tips for Neurodiversity in the Workplace