What is neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is a term that covers a wide range of brain differences – including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and more. Find out more about neurodiversity by checking out our article here.
Will being neurodivergent affect my job search?
The simple answer is that it shouldn't.
Due to the Equality Act 2010, employers cannot discriminate against candidates based on whether they’re neurodivergent or not, and should treat everyone fairly. However, some employers are still yet to realise the full benefits of hiring neurodivergent people, and this may affect their decisions during the hiring process.
Zahra shares their journey of finding work as a young neurodivergent person:
“My experiences finding work as an individual who has dyslexia and dyscalculia has been rather interesting, in the ways some employers have been very accommodating to my needs, on the other hand other employers would rather accommodate neurotypical candidates because they would take less time in doing a task.”
It’s a story that many neurodivergent people can relate to, but the times are changing due to increased awareness of neurodiversity and the amazing strengths that neurodivergent people can bring…
What strengths and qualities does a neurodivergent person have in the workplace?
Just like all humans, no two neurodivergent people are the same. However there are some qualities shared among many people from the neurodivergent community, including:
Creative thinking
Many neurodivergent people process the world in non-linear, visual, or intuitive ways. This means they often see connections, solutions, or opportunities that others might miss entirely.
For example, when it comes to brainstorming ideas, a person with ADHD may have the ability to create a dozen original ideas in the same time it takes a neurotypical person to come up with one or two. This can be extremely beneficial for tech or other creative industries.
Problem solving
Neurodivergent people are often brilliant at spotting and solving things that others can’t.
Their thinking can allow them to identify problems early and work towards solving those problems. Furthermore, their outside-the-box thinking can lead to creative solutions that were not normally considered. A powerful asset when a company’s finances or reputation could be at stake.
Resilience and adaptability
Many neurodivergent people learn resilience the hard way - by navigating a neurotypical world. Their rock-solid resilience can be an invaluable asset to the world of work. For example, when it comes to meeting multiple deadlines or busy work environments.
For example, a dyslexic employee may find it difficult to express through words and instead use a more visual approach, thus engaging their team in a new, innovative way and saving everyone from endless word-heavy powerpoint presentations!
Zahra found their own strengths when navigating work:
“The unique strengths that neurodiverse individuals bring to the workplace, this may sound incredibly cliche, however it is true that neurodiverse individuals have a fresh perspective outside of the conformist box that the workplace may place on us and we find successful alternatives that benefit the workplace and ourselves.”
What challenges might a neurodivergent person face in the workplace?
Despite the many strengths, navigating the world of work isn’t always smooth sailing. Here are a few tips for when things get too much:
Sensory overload
Many work environments can be a perfect storm of noise and light, which can be overwhelming for a neurodivergent person.
Bright lights, loud conversations, or constant background noise can impact anyone’s productivity. If it’s affecting you then you have every right to be honest with your manager.
Simply let them know that the current environment is not helping you work to the best of your abilities, and you should be able to share why. Every employer has a duty to make sure their workplace contributes towards a healthy and effective team, in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Communication difficulties
Some neurodivergent people find it hard to communicate with other people, especially if they’re in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
It might help to be clear with your manager from the beginning, and tell them how you feel about presenting to a team, giving or receiving feedback, or any other tasks that involve communication.
Open communication with your team can not only benefit your experience, but also everyone else’s! By sharing your own experiences and difficulties, you can help create a work culture that’s compassionate, aware, and supportive.
Paperwork
Many documents that neurotypical people use on a daily basis can present challenges for neurodivergent people. Tasks involving reading, writing or number processing can seem overwhelming, especially if you have dyslexia or dyscalculia.
Be open with your manager and the rest of the team about your abilities, and also share other ways that the paperwork can be approached.
You could have a fantastic new way to tackle the dreaded paperwork, and it could completely change the way the organisation works for the better!
Zahra found the best way to overcome workplace challenges is being completely honest with their manager:
“I have faced a work related challenge before in regards to my dyscalculia, when I had incorrectly filled in paperwork that was mathematically related, my manager asked why I had made such an obvious blunder in my paperwork, I managed that situation with sincerity and explained to my manager what dyscalculia means and bridging that gap from her assuming that I am incompetent to her knowing that I face difficulties with mathematics. I would say employees can manage work related challenges by being honest and asking for assistance not only for yourself but for the team.”
So what’s the best advice for neurodivergent job seekers out there?
“My advice for neurodivergent job seekers is to keep seeking. I feel that there is a palpable gap of neurodivergent employees, especially in regards to dyslexia and dyscalculia representation.
As well as, to make work spaces more neurodivergent friendly, I would suggest that I am a visual person so that paper, pens and whiteboards are available for me to express my thoughts rather than the computer and also having quiet spaces available because the workplace can be an extremely stressful place for neurodivergent individuals.
There are a multitude of resources that you can access such as the Dyslexic Association of London that are there to support those with dyslexia in the workplace, whom I look forward to volunteering on behalf of.”
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