At the heart of all successful organisations lies the spirit of inclusivity. That isn't just about representation; it’s about creating a working environment where every individual feels heard, valued, and able to contribute their unique strengths to the collective whole. This year, we're taking the opportunity to celebrate in a way that has the potential to change the conversation about neurodiversity in the workplace for the better.
A difference, not a deficit
Neurodiversity is a simple recognition of the vast variation in human cognition and mental health, a spectrum as broad and complex as the human race. Individuals who are neurodiverse, encompassing autism, dyslexia, ADHD and a whole lot more, experience the world differently. This can be a challenge in certain situations but shouldn’t be seen as a negative.
Shifting the conversation to one that recognises strengths and uniqueness rather than focusing on deficits is pivotal. It’s about adopting a new lens that values the unparalleled abilities of neurodiverse individuals which can encompass enhanced pattern recognition, an affinity for detail, and incredible creativity.
Celebrating neurodiversity
Celebrating neurodiversity is about embracing different perspectives and the diversity of our community. It gives us an opportunity to openly discuss the issues facing the neurodiverse community, and expand our recognition of the achievements of neurodiverse individuals. By celebrating neurodiversity, we provide an opportunity for people to explore their own neurodivergences in a more open and supportive environment.
A member of our community here at Advanced, Hamzah Hafesji, Group Project Manager, discovered his dyslexia while studying for his A-Levels. He has found that his different way of thinking allows him to see things differently, even when facing the modern challenges of rapid-fire messages, emails and social media. "Despite my spelling and punctuation errors that remain no matter how much I proofread," Hamzah told us, "I know they don't reflect my intelligence."
Making inclusion reality
The crux of Neurodiversity Celebration Week is not just about recognition; it's practical, too. It's about making adjustments in our work environments that empower neurodiverse employees, allowing them to perform at their best. These adjustments, oftentimes simple and low-cost, could involve providing noise-cancelling headphones, altering lighting conditions, or implementing flexible work hours.
It's often necessary for us to call on champions of this community to look forwards and support others in a meaningful way. The Advanced Enable Network has been pivotal in ensuring that neurodiverse voices are heard. This has been possible through the leadership of Chloe Ternent, who has supported this movement to thrive.
"Some people may not be comfortable going to their direct line manager, or someone in the PX team that they don't know," Chloe said, explaining the role of Advanced Enable. "The Network is like a person in the middle. When someone doesn't feel so comfortable, we offer an opportunity to work on it together." Neurodiversity Celebration Week offers an opportunity to step forward and seek support in a safe and supportive environment.
Making the most of the week
This week, the Advanced Enable Network will be meeting to share and discuss what celebrating neurodiversity means to them, as well as debunking some of the misconceptions that persist around neurodivergence. The session, Chloe told us, is not just about education, but also celebrating the "positive sides of being neurodivergent". She explained how we can look through a different lens, for instance, looking at the ability of autistic colleagues to "focus their problem-solving skills" to "approach problems differently and innovate".
There's also an opportunity during this week to celebrate some of the great figures in the neurodivergent community. Steve Jobs, the visionary founder of Apple Inc., was dyslexic, while Microsoft's Bill Gates has ADHD, and both are figures who have changed the world. Meanwhile, with four BAFTAs and two Oscars, Anthony Hopkins CBE is a legend of stage and screen who announced, in 2017, that he is autistic. These are towering figures who can be an inspiration and an example of why we should celebrate neurodiversity.
We invite you to join us during Neurodiversity Week and beyond. Let's celebrate the uniqueness in each of us and work towards a future where diversity of thought is not just accepted but celebrated and encouraged. Together, we can create a more inclusive world for individuals of all neurotypes.
We'd like to thank Chloe for talking to us for this article, and sharing the amazing news about the upcoming Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
