Accommodating Neurodiversity @ Work

As a leadership coach specializing in Neurodiversity, clients often partner with me to prepare their workplace accommodations. It’s also essential to help managers proactively prepare for these accommodations.

Here are a few helpful tips for you!

• Communication Differences:

  • Manifestation: Verbal or non-verbal communication.

  • Support: Provide clear, written instructions, use inclusive language, and avoid idioms or ambiguous phrases.

• Sensory Sensitivities

  • Manifestation: Hyper- or hypo-sensitivity to light, sound, or touch.

  • Support: Offer noise-canceling headphones, allow adjustments to office lighting, and provide quiet workspaces.

• Executive Functioning Challenges

  • Manifestation: Organizing, planning, or following through.

  • Support: Break tasks into smaller steps, set reminders, and create structured schedules.

• Attention Regulation

  • Manifestation: Maintaining focus or hyper-focusing.

  • Support: Implement flexible working hours and encourage regular breaks to boost focus.

• Memory Difficulties

  • Manifestation: Working memory issues impacting task completion.

  • Support: Use visual aids, checklists, and note-taking tools.

• Emotional Regulation

  • Manifestation: Managing emotions, especially under stress.

  • Support: Create an empathetic culture, offer access to mental health resources including coaching, and check in regularly.

• Social Interaction Challenges

  • Manifestation: Interpreting social cues or engaging in small talk.

  • Support: Promote direct, clear communication and allow alternative methods for social interaction.

• Time Management Issues

  • Manifestation: Estimating time or meeting deadlines.

  • Support: Offer time-management training, set clear expectations, and implement task management tools.

• Hyperactivity or Restlessness

  • Manifestation: Need for movement or difficulty sitting still.

  • Support: Encourage active breaks, offer standing desks, and allow flexible seating arrangements.

• Rigid Thinking Patterns

  • Manifestation: Adapting to change or switching between tasks.

  • Support: Provide advance notice of changes, allow extra time for transitions, and offer support in problem-solving.