Building Neuro-inclusive Teams in the Digital Age
In today’s digital age, as many workplaces have shifted towards remote and virtual working, it is important to ensure that all team members are supported and able to thrive in this new environment.
This includes neurodivergent individuals, who can bring many unique strengths and talents to organisations, such as having good problem-solving skills, strong verbal communication, being resilient and determined, thinking innovatively and being creative. It is important for organisations to build neuro-inclusive teams that can bring diverse perspectives, skills, and ideas to the table that can greatly contribute to the success of their teams. It has been suggested that virtual workplaces promote diversity and can help deliver positive business outcomes, such as: increased productivity, higher work satisfaction, better collaboration and reduced absenteeism and time loss (Forbes, 2020). As a result, neurodiversity should be viewed as a competitive advantage, as described by the Harvard Business Review.
However, research by O2 in 2021 reported that 81% of neurodivergent employees said they felt their employer could provide them with more support[1] . 34%[2] said working from home during the Covid-19 lockdown was beneficial for their focus but challenges were also faced with navigating virtual meetings, while 44% reported Zoom fatigue and feeling overwhelmed by instant messaging platforms. Working remotely can also present additional challenges for neurodivergent individuals, as they may face challenges with changes in routine, or with communication and social cues in virtual settings.
To ensure their success and the success of your team, it is important to implement strategies to support neurodivergent talent in remote working settings.
Leveraging Digital Tools for Inclusive Communication
There are many tools and strategies that can be implemented to make your workplace communications more neuro-inclusive:
Remote working can be challenging for neurodivergent individuals who may experience challenges with social interactions or communicating. Organisations could look at using various communication tools such as video conferencing (MS Teams or Zoom), instant messaging, and project management software (such as Asana to facilitate communication and collaboration. These tools can also help to reduce distractions and provide a structured way to communicate with colleagues. Notifications can also be turned off to help individuals focus.
Effective communication is crucial for any team, but it is especially important when managing neurodivergent talent virtually. It is essential to establish clear and open communication channels, such as regular team meetings and one-on-one check-ins. This will help to ensure that all team members, including neurodivergent employees, feel heard and understood.
When communicating virtually with someone who may be neurodivergent, it is important to use clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon, metaphors, or vocabulary that may be confusing or overwhelming.
When conducting virtual meetings, training, or presentations, it is important to use plain and simple backgrounds and fonts. Bright or busy backgrounds and fonts can be visually distracting and overwhelming for individuals with sensory sensitivities.
Make information accessible in virtual meetings, training sessions, or presentations by providing closed captioning or audio descriptions, allowing alternative forms of engagement, such as using the chat function, and allowing neurodivergent employees to participate and contribute when they feel comfortable to do so, minimising the pressure to speak in front of people. Recording meetings so individuals can refer back to content at a later time can also support with information processing and memory.
Providing employees with the choice of how they wish to participate in a virtual meeting, such as having their camera on or off can help to enhance their comfort levels, especially for autistic individuals who may find eye contact more intense and can also help to reduce Zoom fatigue.
There are many technologies and tools that can assist neurodivergent individuals in the workplace. For example, speech-to-text and text-to-speech software can be helpful for dyslexic individuals, or others who experience challenges with reading and writing.
Virtual communication can be tiring for anyone, but it can be especially overwhelming for some neurodivergent individuals. Allow for breaks and pauses in meetings, to give everyone a chance to process the information and recharge.
Improving Inclusion with Virtual and Flexible Working
According to ONS data as of June 2023, around 10% of workers in the UK work from home full-time, and around 29% follow a hybrid work pattern. Remote working can provide many benefits for employees, and in particular your neurodivergent employees who may experience challenges in traditional office environments.
However, it is important that when providing flexible working arrangements, we are enabling neurodivergent employees to work in an environment that suits their needs. This can include allowing them to work flexible hours, such as starting and finishing work at various times, so they can work at times when they are most productive, rather than having to work to a traditional 9am to 5pm schedule.
Tools for Task Management and Organisation
Many neurodivergent individuals may experience challenges with managing their time and organisation. This can provide challenges with prioritising tasks and meeting deadlines; in some cases leading to stress and anxiety. Working virtually may also result in some neurodivergent individuals experiencing challenges with communicating their needs.
There are many digital tools that can be used to help with organisation and planning, here’s a few suggestions:
Asana is a task management tool that allows individuals to create and assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. It also has a feature called ‘My Tasks’ that allows users to see all their assigned tasks in one place, making it easier for neurodivergent individuals to manage their workload.
Trello is a visual project management tool that uses a card-based system to organise tasks and projects. It can be used to help neurodivergent individuals break down tasks and see their progress.
Evernote is a notetaking and organisation tool that allows individuals to create and organise notes, lists, and tasks. It also has a reminder feature that can be helpful for neurodivergent individuals who have challenges with memory and organisation.
Google Calendar is a free online calendar that can be used to schedule and organise tasks and appointments. It also has the ability to set reminders and share calendars with others, making it a helpful tool for neurodivergent individuals who may benefit from external organisation and support.
Microsoft To-Do is a task management app that allows individuals to create and manage tasks, set reminders, and collaborate with others. It also has a feature called ‘My Day’ that suggests tasks for the day based on priority and due dates, which can be helpful for neurodivergent individuals who have challenges with prioritising.
MyLifeOrganized is a task management tool specifically designed for individuals with ADHD and other executive function challenges. It allows users to break down tasks into smaller steps and set priorities, helping them to stay on track and complete tasks efficiently.
In conclusion, building and empowering neurodivergent teams requires understanding, education, and support from both employers and team members. By creating neuro-inclusive remote working environments, organisations can ensure that all employees, regardless of their neurodifferences, can thrive and be more successful in their roles.
To learn more about the value of neurodiversity in the workplace, developing your organisation’s neurodiversity strategy and how to create a neuro-inclusive working environment, get in touch with Lexxic today.
A great place to start would be hosting a neurodiversity workshop or webinar for your whole organisation. You can find out more here.
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