Embracing Neurodiversity in the Remote Workplace
Stefanie Gray
Though the recent push for neuroinclusivity within tech has been quite positive, related workplace training content often takes an outsider perspective focused on “Here’s how to work with those people,” or is limited to addressing neurodiverse needs within a very particular demographic.
Neurodiverse workers do not universally fit the “Sheldon Cooper” archetype, and conditions such as ADHD and autism can present quite differently in female, non-binary, and/or BIPOC employees.
Individuals within these groups may fear disclosure at the risk of facing invalidation (“But you don’t *look* autistic!”) or not being taken seriously regarding personal challenges.
In turn, this may put them at risk of potential miscommunications, misunderstandings, lack of fair accommodations, the “double empathy problem,” and reduced psychological safety within the workplace.
The goal of this session is to break down barriers to understanding how neurodiversity presents amongst a wide range of demographic groups, in the hopes of creating a safer and more inclusive working environment for all.
Though the recent push for neuroinclusivity within tech has been quite positive, related workplace training content often takes an outsider perspective focused on “Here’s how to work with those people,” or is limited to addressing neurodiverse needs within a very particular demographic.
Neurodiverse workers do not universally fit the “Sheldon Cooper” archetype, and conditions such as ADHD and autism can present quite differently in female, non-binary, and/or BIPOC employees.
Individuals within these groups may fear disclosure at the risk of facing invalidation (“But you don’t *look* autistic!”) or not being taken seriously regarding personal challenges.
In turn, this may put them at risk of potential miscommunications, misunderstandings, lack of fair accommodations, the “double empathy problem,” and reduced psychological safety within the workplace.
The goal of this session is to break down barriers to understanding how neurodiversity presents amongst a wide range of demographic groups, in the hopes of creating a safer and more inclusive working environment for all.