Contributing Author: Sebastian Miranda
Being a leader in a neurodiverse team has its challenges; both unique and complex, but it is also rewarding as well. The key strategy to work in a neurodiverse team is to be open-minded to ideas and embrace change. Despite the barriers that Neurodivergent individuals face everyday they will surprise you with their creativity, unique perspective, and problem-solving skills that corresponds very well with their workforce core values in teamwork and integrity.
To help promote neurodiversity in any workforce industry here are the steps to promote and accommodate any of their needs.
- Understand and educate ourselves on neurological conditions: Neurological Conditions include Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and Tourette Syndrome. The more we understand these conditions and the individuals themselves the more we can accommodate them to work in their respective fields.
- Provide Accommodations: Neurodiverse individuals are employees and the same goes to their fellow neurotypical co-workers. Both neurodivergent and neurotypicals workers have rights to access these accommodations to promote an equal opportunity for all employees regardless of their background, race, gender, and sexual orientation.
- Encourage Neurodiversity Representation: As mentioned, leading a Neurodiverse team has its challenges and rewards. If you work in an organization it is important to correspond with the company’s core values in Teamwork and Leadership opportunities.
Working with a neurodiverse team allows employers to be open to new experiences and new perspectives from both neurotypical and neurodivergent employees. They may provide new solutions and alternatives and during this process and can help gain new insights which allow you and your team to be more flexible and connect on a deeper level of understanding as well as bring a inclusive work environment.