We Work as One: Neurodiversity

"Autism is not a processing error, it's a different operating system"

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We hosted a 'We Work as One' breakfast this week to educate ourselves further on what it means to live in a neurodiverse world.

Our 'We Work as One' events play a pivital part in deverellsmith's wider diversity and inclusion programme, as we aim to create an inclusive environment for everyone who joins ds, and educate our employees on the diversity of the world, including culture, religion, gender, and more.

What is neurodivergence?

Neurodivergence is the term for when someone's brain processes, learns, and/or behaves from what is considered "typical".

It is the idea that it's perfectly normal and acceptable for everyone's brains to function differently from one another. At the end of the day, everyone is one-of-a-kind and unique in their own amazing way.

It's changing our thinking that just because someone doesn't operate or proccess information similarly to others, this doesn't mean they are wrong.

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Neurotypical vs neurodivergence?

• Neurotypical: this is where someones brain function, behaviours and processing is considered standard of typical.

• Neurodivergence: this it the term for those whose brains function differently in one or more ways that is considered standard of typical.

Types of neurodiversity

Autism

Autism is known as a "spectrum disorder" as the cases can range from mild to severe. Autisim has a broad set of conditions that may include challenges with socialising, repetitive behaviours and speach difficulties, leading for some to communicate only nonverbally.

ADHD

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is an executive function dysregulation disorder, which means an individual may have difficulties with managing their thoughts and attention. People with ADHD may be restless or seem disinterested in the world around them.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a form of neurodivergence that concerns someones speaking, reading and wirting ability. It may involve confucion with certain letters and difficulty with organising words into sentences.

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More about Autism...

Autisic people may:

• Find it hard to communicate with others

• Find bright lights or loud noises overwhelming

• Get anxious about unfimilar events or situations

• Struggle to understand how other people's feeling

Autism is not an illness and cannot be cured with treatments or medicine. It is something that people will have to navigate their whole lives with, but it doesn't meant they can't live a full life, make friends, have relationships or have successful careers.

Why is it important for recruiters to know?

• It helps us understand and be more aware that people think differently to us, and that's okay. This doesn't mean they are wrong, we just need to understand how we can better support each other.

• Autistic/neurodivergent people may excell in certain areas such as problem solving. Know this can help us as recruiters better place those candiadtes in roles they are likely to succeed in, such as Property Management.

• As recruiters, we should do our best to recognise how our candidates think and behave, so we can better understand the best working environment for them to thrive in.

You can learn more about what it is like to work for deverellsmith here.