Neurodivergent colleagues could help businesses become more successful if the right steps are taken to make workplaces more inclusive, according to a new study.
Research by the Association for Project Management (APM) has identified that people with neurodevelopmental conditions – such as ADHD, dyslexia, and autism spectrum disorder – could bring unique insights and talents to many organisations and projects, if they were better supported to do so.
APM commissioned the Promoting Neurodiversity report to assess how well the industry is integrating neurodivergent people, and what more needs to be done.
The report states that neurodivergent individuals sometimes have strengths and abilities that can support project success, including better pattern recognition, risk management, adaptability, and more.
However, it also found that these individuals face barriers to employment, such as finding difficulties with the traditional interview process, or facing sensory overload in a busy office environment.
The report concludes that more needs to be done to ensure neurodivergent individuals have as much chance to succeed as their neurotypical colleagues.
APM has urged companies to adopt seven recommendations:
- Promoting neurodiversity awareness and training.
- Enhancing disclosure processes.
- Implementing reasonable adjustments and flexible policies.
- Reassessing recruitment and training practices.
- Fostering supportive networks.
- Redesigning workspaces and meeting environments.
- Focusing on strength-based task assignment.
‘Barriers still remain’
Commenting on the findings, Adam Boddison OBE, chief executive of APM, said: “Our report shows the strengths neurodivergent people bring to the project management profession and the positive progress organisations have made, but significant barriers still remain.
“The seven recommendations in the report around recruitment, training, implementing reasonable adjustments, establishing peer support networks, and creating a genuinely inclusive culture should help the profession improve significantly.
“Neurodivergent individuals are capable of thriving as project managers, but without the right systems in place, many will go unnoticed or will struggle at work. We are hopeful this report will help decision-makers to make any necessary changes and enable neurodivergent people to embrace project management as a viable career path.”
