Neurodiversity Awareness Training: Why is it Important for your Organization?

With autism becoming more prevalent, it’s important for businesses to understand how people on the spectrum can be a real asset to a company. Hiring and creating a functional workspace where diverse talents are encouraged, can help an organization reach its goals, forge a healthier and more inclusive work environment, and extend more opportunity to differently-abled individuals to contribute their skills in a meaningful way.

Neurodiversity, as a concept, is gaining more awareness. Companies, however, have still not understood the importance and benefits of neurodiversity. Most organizations are hesitant to hire neuroduiverse individuals.

They struggle to find a career

People with neurodiversity, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder or other cognitive difference, struggle to find gainful employment. While these individuals are intelligent, talented, and diligent workers, they often face challenges when it comes to having a professional career, largely due to lack of proper neurodiversity awareness training from colleagues and potential employers. A recent Drexel University study has revealed that 58 percent of young adults on the spectrum are unemployed. More than 70,000 teenagers on the spectrum will become adults each year. This means that over 700,000 adults on the spectrum will need employment in the next 10 years. Lack of any gainful employment, is undeniably detrimental to the well-being of a neurodiverse individual. This may lead to isolation, financial stress, and co-dependence on the family, government and nongovernment organizations.

What is neurodiversity awareness training?

A neurodiversity awareness training program helps organizations to attract, hire and retain neurodiverse talent. Such training is extremely beneficial since it educates the management and employees about neurodiversity in the workplace and how to build a more accepting, diverse, and inclusive work environment. These programs also provide the management and human resource (HR) recruiters with tactical training. Focal areas include empathy building, breaking myths and stereotypes, and supportive coworking.

What do neurodiversity awareness training programs comprise?

SourceAbled’s Neurodiversity workforce programs are usually completed in an online, self-paced, online environment. Issues covered include dealing with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the workplace, mental health, inclusive hiring, disclosure, and working with a team of differently-abled individuals to contribute to a supportive culture.

Benefits of neurodiversity awareness training

Experts from leading staffing firm Rangam Consultants highlight the fact that organizations serving neurodiverse individuals are strong indicators of a supportive and healthy workforce. Recruiting people on the autism spectrum not only helps them, it also organizations to reap the benefits of having workers who think in their own unique ways and provide innovative solutions other may not have thought of. Generating awareness about neurodiversity is no charity. It’s about having a more diverse and inclusive workforce which will be deeply valued in the society.

Creating a workplace culture to celebrate

Companies are increasingly reaping the advantage of SourceAbled’s neurodiversity awareness training programs to reach out to a burgeoning section of untapped talent. These training programs offer organizations an opportunity to cultivate an inclusive workplace culture which they can be proud of. A neurodiverse workplace champions the cause of having an inclusive and unique workplace.