The Power of Neurodiversity

​Neurodiversity means we recognize and accept the differences that exist in how we think, work, and communicate.

  • theresa-haskins-neurodivergent

    Neurodivergent

  • theresa-haskins-neurodiversity

    Neurodiversity

  • theresa-haskins-neurotypical

    Neurotypical

“Hiring neurodiverse employees helps address the growing talent gap and need for future skills development in organizations.”

— Theresa Haskins, Ed.D.

Understanding Neurodivergence in the Workplace.

Historically, human resource professionals and vocational specialists have focused on the impairments of neurodivergent people. Many programs focused on helping autistic and other neurodivergents find work approach these employees from a deficit view, requiring them to try and mask their symptoms to better assimilate to the workplace's neurotypical standards. Research shows that these efforts do not improve long-term employment outcomes and counter the acceptance and acknowledgment of a neurodivergent's disability.

Neurodiversity is derived from three concepts that focus on the strengths of the individual (Saleeby, 1992), the idea of mutiple intelligences (Gardner, 1993), and the idea of neurologically-based strengths (Armstrong, 2011). When employers learn to appreciate neurodivergent's unique skills and accept social and behavioral differences, they can create cultures and processes where neurodivergent employees can thrive.