Neurodivergence is more common than you think. We explore what it is and why it can be an advantage in the workplace.
No two brains are the same, but some appear to be wired differently. Roughly one in five people (15-20% of the world’s population) are believed to be neurodivergent. That means their brain does not follow typical thinking patterns.
Neurodiversity is a relatively new term that covers several conditions, recognising that there is no single ‘right’ way for our minds to function, but a wide range of natural differences in how we think, learn and experience the world.
Common neurodivergence conditions
There is an extensive medical list of neurodiverse conditions along a spectrum, but there are a handful that are more common than most:
– Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) involves inattention, distractibility and impulsivity (affecting about 5% of children and 3% of adults globally).
– Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects social communication and interaction, and is often associated with sensory sensitivities and repetitive behaviours (affecting around 1% of people worldwide).
– Dyslexia refers to a type of learning disorder that results in difficulties with reading and spelling affecting around 10% of people globally).
– Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), affects movement and coordination, making everyday tasks like writing, balance and speech more challenging (affecting around 5% of children).
– Dyscalculia presents as difficulties with numbers (affecting around 3-6% of the world population).
– Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) refers to recurring unwanted thoughts leading to repetitive behaviours (affecting about 2% of people worldwide).
– Tourette Syndrome presents as involuntary motor and vocal ‘tics’ that can be difficult to control (affecting around 0.6% of people).
Make sense of it all
There is still much research needed, as neurodivergence can vary in its presentation and impact, and may present differently in women and men.
As public awareness grows, more adults have realized they are neurodivergent. Some billionaire entrepreneurs have ADHD, which is linked to creativity and innovative problem-solving. Frequently, people have more than one neurodivergent condition at the same time.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, for example, has Asperger’s syndrome as well as OCD. She regards being on the autism spectrum as a ‘superpower’ because it helped her focus on climate action and challenging world leaders to address climate change without feeling intimidated.
“People on the autism spectrum often have very specialised areas of interest that, if matched to the right work environment, can lead them to be experts in their fields,” explains clinical psychologist Dr Dougal Sutherland of Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. “Employers need not fear hiring those who are neurodivergent. Some people with ADHD, for example, work very effectively in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and rapidly changing content, such as journalism.”
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Living with superpowers
To be clear, Brett Abraham, a partner at Webb Wentzel law firm in Johannesburg, says “neurodivergent is not synonymous with disabled”, but many neurodivergent employees do need ‘disability-like accommodation’ at work in line with SA law, he says,
“Employers must proactively seek to manage (and even embrace) neurodiverse conditions in the workplace by promoting neuro-inclusivity.”
Companies can, for example, refine their interview and training processes to communicate more clearly with neurodiverse candidates. Other options include introducing standing desks with wobble boards for access to movement throughout the day, using special spell checkers designed for dyslexia, designating low-stimulus areas for those with ASD, or providing noise-cancelling headphones.
A recent report published in the Harvard Business Review stated: “Because neurodiverse people are wired differently, they may bring new perspectives to a company’s efforts to create or recognise value.”
Our country would surely benefit if neurodiverse South Africans were able to bring their unique talent to the workplace
Famous Neurodivergents
Billie Eilish (Tourette’s)
Emma Watson (ADHD)
Jennifer Aniston (Dyslexia)
Simone Biles (ADHD)
Words: Club Magazine
Photography: Gallo/Getty Images
