As an employer, creating an inclusive workplace for neurodivergent employees is important so that everyone feels respected and valued. Employees can often feel unsupported if their needs are not taken into consideration, but also if they don’t feel understood. Having a workplace culture and systems in place that recognize the needs of neurodiverse employees is essential for success.
For employees and other neurodiverse individuals, an inclusive workplace means having access to resources and support that best meet their needs. It includes employers providing reasonable accommodations based on individual requests, but also having supervisors, managers, and staff that are trained in sensitivity and acceptance. In this blog post, we’ll explore how employers can take steps to create an inclusive workplace for neurodivergent employees.
Sensitivity Training For Managers and Staff
One of the most important steps that employers can take to create an inclusive workplace is to provide sensitivity training for their managers and supervisors. This way there is a top-down approach being implemented in the workplace to ensure that everyone is aware of the needs and issues facing neurodiverse employees. This way the system is being put in place and the managerial staff is being trained up appropriately before assuming their role.
Not only can help to reduce any confusion or misunderstanding among teams, but it can also create an environment where neurodiverse employees feel respected and included. There are a number of companies, like Evolibri and VMWare that provide and implement sensitivity training in this space. Here are some blogs that can be used as resources to help understand sensitivity training and its importance.
- How To Implement Sensitivity Training In The Workplace
- Sensitivity Training: Definition, Benefits and How-to Guide
- Neurodiversity at WorkNeurodiversity at Work
- Is Your Company Inclusive of Neurodivergent Employees?
Evolibiri
Evolibri is a company that works with a number of Silicon Valley, CA companies to provide sensitivity training. They will come in and work with your company to walk all the staff through internal training, candidate engagement, vetting, hiring, and onboarding as well as maintaining your neurodiversity program over time. They work with companies to help understand autism and what it means to be neurodivergent in the workplace and ensure that individuals with autism can have a successful, meaningful, and inclusive work experience.
VMWare
VMWare is a company that partners with Evolibiri to implement sensitivity training to allow the company to create an inclusive workplace for neurodiverse employees. It has also created a business-led 2030 agenda to actively push for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. This means that VMWare is not only providing training but has taken measures to ensure that the company is providing an equitable and inclusive environment for all employees.
Neurodiverse Employees are Assets
It’s important to remember that neurodiverse employees can be some of the most creative, productive, loyal, and hardworking individuals on staff. They bring unique skills, strengths, and perspectives to the workplace and are invaluable assets. So, it is to your company’s benefit to create accommodations to help these employees be the best they can be. This can be done by providing a safe and respectful environment for neurodiverse employees so they can thrive.
Burnout is Common Due to a Lack of Accommodations
Consequently, due to a lack of accommodations for autistic and neurodiverse employees, a lot of them end up going through burnout. A big problem with that for companies, and the employees, is that they end up taking medical leave. This can sometimes be for months which can have a large impact on the organization. It also leaves the employees with less income to cover their expenses. However, they needed to because they were just so burnt out. All due to not getting the support they needed in the workplace.
Training concerning burnout prevention for neurodivergent employees is an important step for ensuring the success of these individuals. Sensitivity training along with a better understanding of the needs of neurodiverse employees can allow companies and their managerial staff to create accommodations. It also allows them to make adjustments to ensure that burnout can be avoided. This can lead employees to thrive, increase the productivity of their overall work and ensure that everyone has access to opportunities.
Communication Styles
Neurodivergent individuals often do best with very direct communication. Some individuals can also need it written, but this depends on the individual. In some settings, especially at work, there is not always direct communication. This can lead to colleagues and even the entire office making assumptions about the individual. It can appear that the neurodivergent individual appears difficult, avoidant, etc. when they really did not understand the expectation. It wasn’t communicated in a way that worked for them, it was just assumed.
Managers Need Training in Different Styles of Communication
To prevent misunderstandings in the workplace due to communication styles, managers need to be trained in effective communication. In terms of nervous system wiring, when employees with autism are faced with demanding or high-pressure people, such as their managers or supervisors, it can be triggering and make them less productive or effective. A gentle approach is often the best way to go. Just like other individuals, when the volume is loud, the heat is raised, or when there is force or pressure, it can send them into fight or flight mode. This means their brain cannot function effectively, just as it does with anyone else.
By managers being better trained, they can learn to model their managerial style per person. A neurodivergent employee might do better with understanding your request if you sent them an email. Or even a clear message in a chat rather than having a meeting. Also, helping people to just be more understanding of those with autism can lead to fewer inaccurate judgments and assumptions.
Nonverbal Communication
A big thing that often happens with autistic people is they don’t make eye contact or don’t make facial expressions that seem consistent with neurotypical norms. This can lead to a lot of assumptions being made about them, that may not be accurate. It can appear as if they are disinterested, rude, and dismissive of others. With proper communication training, staff can learn and be aware that nonverbal communication is very different for autistic people. They need to be aware of the judgments they are making.
Maybe try to clarify your understanding and clarify with that person to see if you are understanding them. This can help to prevent autistic people are put into this category that just they shouldn’t be in. It’s not consistent with who they are and it’s important to be aware of that. With the top-down managerial approach, the manager will be able to use their training to understand what facial expressions mean to this person or what non-verbal cues mean to them.
Begin Working with Neurodiversity Affirming Therapists in Silicon Valley
If you are an employer, it can be beneficial to seek out and work with neurodiversity-affirming therapists in Silicon Valley. Having resources to refer your employees to can be incredibly helpful in fostering a supportive workplace environment. This will help companies create a culture of inclusion for neurodiverse individuals, allowing them to feel heard and valued. At Open Doors Therapy, we offer a range of services that are tailored to the individual needs of neurodiverse individuals. If you’re interested in learning more about our team, our services, and which may be right for you, you can follow these steps to gain more information:
- Reach out to our autism therapy practice and schedule a free phone consultation.
- Learn more about our services and which may be best for you or your employees
- Begin learning how to best support your neurodiverse employees!
Other Services Offered with Open Doors Therapy
Our team stands with the neurodiverse community. This is why we offer a variety of services to best support them when they are needing therapeutic support. This is why our California-based practice is happy to offer a variety of services to our clients, including individual therapy, parent counseling, and group therapy. In addition, we also offer social skills groups. These include college students with autistic traits, young adults with autism, women who identify as neurodiverse, a mother’s group, and an online parent support group. Please feel free to visit our Autism Resources page for info and helpful resources. Learn more about our services by reaching out or visiting our blog today!
About the Author
Dr. Tasha Oswald, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist (#30423). She is also the Founder and Director of Open Doors Therapy and Neurodiversity School. With specialized training in developmental and clinical psychology and cognitive neuroscience, Dr. Oswald has over 15 years of experience working with teens and adults on the autism spectrum. After earning her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Oregon, she spent five years working at the UC Davis MIND Institute. This is a world-renowned research and treatment center for neurodevelopmental disabilities. Dr. Oswald and her colleagues developed a successful, research-supported group therapy program. It was for adults on the autism spectrum and their families. Dr. Oswald is dedicated to supporting neurodiverse individuals and their families through compassionate and effective therapy. She also works with a team of skilled professionals at Open Doors Therapy to provide the best possible care.
