Fighting for the underdog…

This post is inspired by an article I read in the ISA Journal by Jen Weeks, the principal of LVS Hassocks, West Sussex, an autism specialist school. Some of my most rewarding projects as an education consultant to families involve supporting neurodivergent children — including those with autism or ADHD — helping their parents to tailor their education around their particular strengths and needs.

In her piece, Jen details the exceptional skills neurodivergent learners have that lend themselves particularly well to future employers, such as GHCQ, who recognise the unique abilities of these young people, specifically running recruitment campaigns for neurodivergent candidates.

Certain companies are recognising the unique strengths of neurodivergent learners, such as remarkable pattern recognition, code-breaking abilities, fresh perspectives and innovative problem-solving skills. As a result, they are launching recruitment campaigns specifically targeting neurodivergent candidates for the particular skill sets that they bring to the table.

Some notable examples include:

- Google has been a pioneer in hiring neurodiverse talent and has established the Autism at Work programme. This initiative focuses on creating opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum, leveraging their exceptional skills in areas like data analysis, quality assurance and coding.

- Microsoft is committed to building an inclusive workforce and has launched the Autism Hiring Programme. Through this programme, they actively recruit autistic individuals for roles in software engineering, data science and cybersecurity, among others.

- Ernst & Young (EY) runs the Neurodiversity Centres of Excellence programme, aimed at hiring and supporting neurodiverse individuals. The company focus on harnessing the talents of autistic individuals in areas such as technology, data analysis and cybersecurity.

These are just a few examples of corporate organisations that recognise the immense value and unique abilities of autistic individuals. Their commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces serves as an inspiration for other companies to embrace neurodiversity and unlock the full potential of diverse talent.

With these extraordinary skills, let's not underestimate neurodivergent talent. These alleged “underdogs” are fighting their own corner and doing just fine!

What do you think?

Picture: ‘The Underdog War’ (2014), Lucille Lehr