Beyond the neurotypical | Providing an inclusive onboarding experience that welcomes neurodivergence

It’s estimated that around 15% of the UK population are neurodiverse. That’s one in seven working age people. Yet unemployment in this group, which includes people experiencing autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette’s syndrome and a range of other conditions, runs at between 30-40%. The rate is even higher amongst the UK’s 700,000 autistic people; with the ONS reporting that only 21.7% of this cohort is in employment. That’s a huge amount of exclusion – and a vast wealth of untapped potential.

So how can employers be part of the solution when it comes to welcoming, onboarding and supporting a truly neurodivergent workforce? We spoke with Donna Wearn, Executive Director of People, Performance and Learning at Autism Unlimited, who, along a wealth of other services, provide understanding autism training to employers.