My articles on employment
Neurodiversity training for employers
Autistic employment – some of the challenges facing autistic people
The Disclosure Dilemma
Self employment for the neurodivergent
How overwhelm impacts employment prospects
What is the cost of reasonable adjustments?
Returning to work as a neurodivergent person – part 1 (going back to an existing job)
Returning to, or starting work as a neurodivergent person – part 2 (new job or first job)
Do I have to provide proof I’m neurodivergent?
Resources for neurodivergent employees, the self-employed, and jobseekers
https://exceptionalindividuals.com/
Recruitment agency for neurodivergent jobseekers.
https://enna.org/jobs-board/
Recruiment board for neurodivergent jobseekers.
https://www.evenbreak.com/
International jobs board for people with disabilities and neurodivergent people
https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/employment/job-opportunities?
NAS jobs board for neurodivergent jobseekers.
https://www.thisismeagency.co.uk/
Agency supporting people through the Access To Work process.
https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/employment/finding-employment-e-learning-module
NAS e-learning module guiding you to make a CV, covering letter and disclosure in the workplace.
https://enna.org/resources/
Enna are a great company to search for jobs on their recruitment board but they have an excellent set of resources including disclosure templates, working styles document for understanding and explaining individual working styles and requesting reasonable adjustments, among many more.
Work profile template from The Mischievous Autistic
Facebook post with a work profile template from The Mischievous Autistic. This is a way of explaining your neurodivergence and how it presents or impacts at work as well as what helps or hinders.
https://theautisticboss.com
Understanding and supporting autistic people in the workplace. Information for both employees, employers and those seeking employment.
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
Access to work scheme – how to get funding with equipment or support to enable you to get a job, or remain in work. This applies even if you’re self-employed and need help with admin or accounting, or you need other support like a job coach or mentor – it’s not just for ergonomic chairs and standing desks!
https://www.adhdworks.info/coaching-directory
Directory of certified ADHD workplace coaches available to hire directly or through Access To Work
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7b346d40f0b66a2fc05dc5/Equality_Act_2010_-_Duty_on_employers_to_make_reasonable_adjustments_for….pdf
The government guidance on making reasonable adjustments for staff.
https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/equality/equality-act-2010/your-rights-under-equality-act-2010
Guide to understanding your rights under the Equality Act 2010 (neurodivergent conditions count as disabilities).
https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com
Another great place to seek advice about equality related issues at work.
https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKEAT/2013/0097_12_0802.html
This is the report from an employment tribunal which ruled on a case where the definition and the cause of “impairment” was discussed. This is a useful precedent for anyone facing a tribunal, or for anyone who has been asked by their employer to provide “proof/evidence” of their condition. You do not have to provide proof/evidence of any particular diagnosis – the important thing is the “impairment” (that being the legal language) or challenge/difficulty that you face.
https://neuroclastic.com/unemployable-part-1-an-autistic-woman-ends-her-time-with-career-counseling/
Just a familiar tale of being neurodivergent and trying to navigate the world of employment. In case you need to feel less alone in your experiences of trying to get and retain work.
https://able-futures.co.uk/individuals
Mental health support for employees – nine months of support and advice tailored to mental health support, including therapy, coaching/strategy development and support with getting reasonable adjustments.
Self employment specific
https://www.kingstrust.org.uk/how-we-can-help/tools-resources/business-tools/business-plans
Guide to writing a business plan and setting up a business.
Resources for employers and managers
https://www.autistica.org.uk/downloads/files/PBE-improve-autistic-employment-report-Autistica.pdf
The Autistic report into autism employment detailing the picture at the moment, and what can be meaningfully done to improve access to employment and the experiences of autistic people in the workplace.
https://www.autistica.org.uk/get-involved/employers/ndei/ndei-faqs
The Neurodiversity Employers Index, a tool for businesses to assess, manage, and create a long term plan for neuroaffirming practices.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7b346d40f0b66a2fc05dc5/Equality_Act_2010_-_Duty_on_employers_to_make_reasonable_adjustments_for….pdf
The government guidance on making reasonable adjustments for staff. Read it, and remember it.
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
Access to work scheme – how to get funding with equipment or support to enable employees to obtain work and remain there. This funding must be applied for by the recipient rather than the organisation but it is worth knowing about.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-work-guide-for-employers/access-to-work-factsheet-for-employers
Factsheet related to A2W.
Understanding neurodivergent behaviour
This is my own piece that goes down well in my training sessions for helping neurotypical and non-autistic people understand normal neurodivergent behaviour. Some empathy and understanding both ways can help smooth interpersonal conflicts and misunderstandings.
https://www.fingerprintforsuccess.com/blog/adhd-advantages
Understanding ADHD in the workplace, including why some ADHD traits make people particularly suited to certain environments and tasks.
https://theautisticboss.com
Understanding and supporting autistic people in the workplace. Information for both employees, employers and those seeking employment.
https://enna.org/resources/
Also included in the resources for employees section, I have included this information here because it’s also relevant to employers and managers.
Enna are a great company to search for jobs on their recruitment board but they have an excellent set of resources including disclosure templates, working styles document for understanding and explaining individual working styles and requesting reasonable adjustments, among many more.
Understanding the impact of adjustments
The Chronically Resilient OT (Facebook page) post on understanding the impact that adjustments have on our capacity.
https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Employer_guide_to_dyspraxia_1.0.pdf
Employers guide to supporting and working with employees with dyspraxia
Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024 podcasts
Podcasts by Autistic Radio Spectrum Voices Conversations about employment and neurodiversity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75Jl2GSxnIo
A very eloquent and insightful look at the workplace experiences of Jamie, a dyslexic illustrator and Community Co-Ordinator for Unite.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/risk-assessment.htm
Guide to assessing workplace stress. Stress may look different in neurodivergent people, but this is a good start and a framework to use.
https://www.neurodivergentpeople.org/people
Neurodivergent-led guidance and support for children, families, adults across education, work and healthcare.