As a Neurodiverse employee, it can be scary, confusing or perhaps overwhelming venturing out into the workforce. Given that we function and behave differently than neurotypical people, it can be daunting to work somewhere where we might have a harder time coping with stress than others, or adapting to changes or new situations than the other employees do. We might also get overstimulated more easily or have trouble managing our time or staying organized. Because of this, we might worry about being judged or misunderstood by colleagues who don’t understand. Fortunately, there is help! There are strategies you can employ to help advocate for yourself and help yourself navigate your coworkers and the chaos that is the workplace.
1. Know your strengths
When you have a job, it is important to know your strengths, and your weaknesses so that you know what you’re capable of, and where your boundaries lie. Take some time to understand your neurodiversity and what qualities make it up. It is important to reflect on what challenges you may face because of your neurodiversity, and how that will affect you in the workplace. For example, do you have trouble with social interactions, sensory issues, or time management? Consider developing some strategies to manage them, like seeking quiet spaces or creating routines. And most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate your strengths! Neurodiverse employees have unique sets of skills, such as creativity and problem solving, and I think you should celebrate them!
2. Communicate with managers, supportive colleagues, and HR
Personally, if you are comfortable with it, I think it can be very helpful to communicate with your supervisors and HR about what your needs are so that they can understand better about any issues that you may be having that could impact your ability to work. If you want to communicate about your neurodivergence, it is important to consider how you want to disclose it: would you rather say it face to face or through email? The advantage of face-to-face communication is that it is more personal, and the advantage of email is that it lets you think about what you want to say, so think about what style suits you better. If you do choose face- to-face, make sure you schedule a time so neither of you are busy.
3. Explore accommodations
Personally, I think you should not be scared to ask what accommodations your company has to help you perform better with your disability. When you talk to your supervisor, give them some information about your condition and how it can impact your ability to do your job. Then, don’t be afraid to talk about and be specific about what accommodations will help you succeed in the workplace, or have worked for you in the past, like a quiet workspace.
Also, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself if you feel like your accommodations aren’t working out for you. If you feel like you’re not being given accommodations that will help you succeed, don’t be afraid to speak up.
4. Incorporate a routine
For those who are neurodivergent, routines are key. It can do a lot to help you stay on track and not get overwhelmed. Firstly, if you know you don’t do well with jobs that require sudden changes, consider avoiding those types of jobs. Secondly, it can help to know what’s expected of you throughout the day, so your day is more predictable. Before you take on your position, ask for a comprehensive list of your job duties. This makes it less likely to encounter surprises on the job. In addition, see if you can establish a more predictable routine. This can include coming into work at the same time every day, taking regular breaks, and scheduling projects for when you know you’ll be most productive.
5. Time Management
Time management may be a challenge if you’re neurodivergent. For example, having time blindness when you have ADHD can make it difficult to complete assignments on time or show up punctually. However, if you struggle with time management, there are things that you can utilize to help you stay on track. For example, it can help to use a wall planner, notebook, or planner app on your phone to create a daily schedule of your duties. It can also help to include estimates of how long each task will be by either asking your boss or using your own judgment. Personally, I find this very helpful because with all the things I have on my to-do list, it’s easy for some to slip through the cracks. Another thing that can help keep you on track is setting timers whenever you start tasks. When the timer goes off, that means it’s time to switch to another task. This is helpful because I know how easy it can be to get lost in what you are doing and lose track of time. This can help you stay focused.
So that’s my list! As I said, it can be daunting to venture out in the workforce as a neurodiverse employee. But if you have the right strategies and know how to advocate for your rights, it can go a long way in empowering you to succeed in the workplace. Once you are able to succeed, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible. So go out and knock them dead!
https://lifeskillsadvocate.com/blog/14-tips-for-managing-adhd-and-neurodivergence-at-work/
https://www.focusbear.io/blog-post/8-essential-productivity-tips-for-neurodiverse-individuals
Autism at Work: Overcoming Challenges – HelpGuide.org
https://enna.org/navigating-neurodiversity-in-the-workplace-steps-for-disclosing-to-your-manage
Photo by Christina Morillo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/three-women-sitting-beside-white-table-1181616/
