Neurodiversity at Work

Neurodiversity acknowledges the uniqueness of every human being and the special needs of some.

The human brain consists of about 100 billion brain cells and myriad connections among them. No two people share identical wiring, so in a way, we are all “neurodiverse.” But in the context of organizational diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), neurodiverse workers include all those whose ways of thinking and performing tasks differ significantly from the mainstream, including those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Asperger’s syndrome and autism. An estimated 20–30% of people are neurodiverse, yet many barriers exist to measuring the exact numbers.

Diverse perspectives provide value across culture and society, such as in music, art and science. This diversity matters as much to the success of the human race as biodiversity does to an ecosystem. What applies to society at a macro level applies to organizations at a micro level. Firms and leaders should explore and appreciate the value that people of varying cognitive abilities can bring.

Beyond complying with equity and equality laws, when ...