The topic of neurodiversity is becoming increasingly prevalent in the media with lots of opinions, assumptions and judgements being made.
But how well do we really understand neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is a daily topic of conversation for us as a team for a range of reasons, both personal and professional.
It’s something we are talking about more with the IC pros we support and something we are more conscious of as practitioners.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is taking place next week and you can find more information and resources via this article.
As a team, it’s fair to say that we are at the start of our own learning journey, however we are committed to building our knowledge and awareness so we can advise and guide the communicators we support.
Neurodiversity in the workplace is a topic we intend to write about more as we continue to build our knowledge and insights. The purpose of this initial blog is to share some resources and encourage you to get curious.
Everybody’s needs are different. It’s always been that way. Considering neurodiversity is just another layer of this. Our role as communicators is to do what we can to enable people to be able to show up as they are.
In terms of what we communicate and how, we always need to challenge ourselves on whether we are being thoughtful and inclusive. It’s easy to do things the way we have done for years because it’s easier than starting again. However, if our audience needs and wants something more, it’s our role to be proactive and respond.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week starts on Monday 13 March 2023 and could be a great starting point for anybody looking to increase their awareness and understanding.
“Founded by Siena Castellon in 2018, Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, and organisations with the opportunity to recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent.”
There are so many ways you can build your knowledge and understanding. We have included some useful links below to get you started.
On 21 April 2023, the CIPR Inside Group in partnership with the CIPR Diversity and Inclusion Network are hosting a 40-minute bitesize session on Communicating for neurodiversity.
It’s free for CIPR members and non-members can take part too. It will provide a taster of a more in-depth course, Communicating for Neurodiversity, that’s been designed by social anthropologist and communications coach Tillie Harris and lead Chartered PR Assessor and agency MD, Ben Verinder. Book a spot.
Further reading:
- Neurodiversity in Business (NiB)
- ADHD Foundation
- ADHD Works
- ADHD Aware
- Headstuff ADHD therapy
- National Autistic Society
- The Brain Charity
- Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD) – Neurodiversity at work
- International Association for Spelling as Communication
- Neurodiversity Celebration Week – Workplace toolkits
- Article: Neurodivergent children shouldn’t be excluded from church – thank you Matt Batten for sharing this link.
- Communicating with a neurodiverse workforce – by Interact
- How to encourage neurodiversity in the workplace – by Aoife Casson for Simply Communicate
- Simply neurodivergent communicators – closed group on LinkedIn via Simply Communicate.
Post author: Caroline Cubbon-King.
Thank you Caroline. I’d love to know how organisations are supporting their neurodiverse colleagues, particularly through the lens of internal communication.
If you would like to write a guest article for our blog, please do get in touch.
Rachel
First published on the All Things IC blog 10 March 2023
