Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Within the last decade, the workplace dynamic has changed drastically. Understanding individual differences and promoting diversity has been present on every company's agenda.

As society looks to be more inclusive, the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce (CNDCC) aims to highlight the neurodivergent community as one that is facing significant challenges in the workplace.

Definitions

What are the definitions of neurodivergent?  Neurodiversity, or neurodivergence, refers to variations of learning, sociability, and mental functions found in individuals. This can also refer to an individual's ability to handle personal attention, moods, feelings, and ability to connect with others. Nuerodiverse is a term that includes people with a range of conditions:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Cerebral Palsy

• Developmental Speech Disorder

• Down Syndrome

• Dyslexia,

• Dysgraphia,

• Dyspraxia 

• Dyscalculia 

• Dysnomia 

• Intellectual Disability 

• Tourette syndrome

Our Neurodivergent Community in the Workplace

Neurodiverse individuals could represent any of the conditions above. Despite a diagnosis, neurodiverse employees provide unique abilities that are often sought out by employers. Workplaces that make simple adjustments and allow for their neurodivergent employees to thrive can experience huge benefits. 

1. Neurodiverse employees tend to have higher IQ scores than the average population (over an 85 IQ in 44% of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder) 

2. Studies have shown that neurodivergent employees are 30% more productive that neurotypical employees (and account for fewer errors in the workplace) 

3. Neurodivergent professionals can be up to 140% more productive

4. For very detail-oriented neurodivergent employees, technical skills often come quickly.

5. Many neurodivergent people are extremely focused and can give heightened attention to detail or technical aspects of work

Neurodiverse individuals are a great source of new ideas for companies as well. In fact, a neurodiverse workforce actually lends itself to creating a more robust and successful company culture. Josh Bersin performed an in-depth review of over 450 companies and discovered a few interesting points. 

A highlight of his research showed the neurodiverse workforce actually aids a company's long term success and "outperformed their peers by a significant margin".

The data shows that neurodiversity efforts can aid our companies in the long term and can increase our overall productivity. With more ideas, different ways of thinking, and specialized skills, workplaces achieve a competitive advantage over their competitors.

Challenges Facing Neurodiversity in the Workplace 

The question remains then: if neurodivergent individuals are a benefit to our companies, why are they struggling for inclusion in the modern day workplace? In a recent study by the Institute of Leadership and Management within the United Kingdom, it was learned that "50% of hiring managers admitted they would not employ someone who had one or more neurodivergent conditions". If employers can benefit from a dynamic workforce and inclusive employment practices, then certainly something is amiss.

These are the issues that the CNDCC aims to tackle. When the workforce aims to include more than just neurotypical people, we see our workforce and community strengthened over time. 

The CNDCC's Goals

Our call to action, as business owners, employees, and members of the public should be to stop looking at neurodiversity as a developmental disability. Instead, we should be focusing on the benefits of neurodiversity within our companies and how having a more inclusive workforce can lead to a more impactful workplace. 

The CNDCC is proud to support neurodivergent people as they enter the workforce. If you would like to join our organization and help us reach our goal, please feel free to stop by one of our events to learn more. Alternatively, you can join the CNDCC today and begin learning more about how we can include more forms of diversity in our workplace.

The Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce is an organization made up of neurotypical people, neurodiverse people, and everyone in between. Please feel free to send us any questions you may have.