Neurodiversity

Despite the fact that 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent, half of people managers and leaders are against hiring a neurodivergent employee. Unfortunately, there are still many misconceptions about neurodivergent people in the workplace. Employers worry that they’ll require too much support, won’t be an ideal culture fit, or won’t have the necessary skill sets to work efficiently.

On the contrary, a national report from Drexel University says 51% of workers on the spectrum have higher skills than needed to do their job. JP Morgan & Chase’s ‘Autism at Work’ program found that the autistic employees are ‚Äú48% faster and up to 92% more productive than their non-autistic counterparts - with common factors including strong visual acuity, attention to detail, and a superior ability to focus.” They also made fewer errors and were 90% to 140% more productive than neurotypical employees.

In addition, research from a 2018 Deloitte report found that companies with inclusive cultures were six times more likely to be innovative and agile. Creating an inclusive and diverse workplace culture is fundamental for success. An employer should strive for a workplace made up of employees from different backgrounds, with a range of characteristics and life experiences, who all feel respected, included, valued and comfortable at work.