Starting Your Journey to a Neurodiversity Diagnosis with Lexxic
An Introduction to Neurodiversity Diagnosis
Diagnosing neurodifferences involves identifying and understanding the natural cognitive and neurological characteristics that set individuals apart in terms of their ways of thinking, learning and processing information. These diagnoses, which can help confirm neurodifferences such as Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and others, aim to acknowledge and support the diverse ways in which people perceive and interact with the world. By understanding these differences, we can create more inclusive environments that cater to a wider range of needs and abilities, supporting a society that embraces and celebrates cognitive diversity.
Many neurodivergent individuals also possess a range of unique strengths and talents, which can be maximised with the support of workplace adjustments when an individual understands more about their neurodifference and how it affects them.
But why seek a neurodiversity diagnosis? Individuals may seek a neurodiversity diagnosis for different reasons, including being on a journey of self-discovery and looking for answers to better understand themselves, or wanting to receive a formal diagnosis to receive additional support, such as medication or educational accommodations during their schooling or university years. In the workplace, some individuals may encounter challenges and want to seek a diagnosis to uncover the underlying reasons, which can help them to identify the support which will be most useful to them. Additionally, many people seek validation of their lived experiences, and find comfort and clarity in understanding their unique cognitive profiles. Each of these paths highlights the diverse motivations behind seeking a neurodiversity diagnosis, and all can enhance personal well-being and help develop a supportive, inclusive environment.
The Benefits of Getting a Neurodiversity Diagnosis
Disabilities, including neurodifferences, are protected characteristics under the Equality Act (2010), meaning that neurodivergent individuals are often entitled to workplace adjustments. While a diagnosis is not essential to demonstrate entitlement to workplace adjustments, it can help facilitate access to tools such as assistive software, flexible working arrangements, adjustments to the environment or tasks, and extra time for tasks or exams. A diagnosis can help individuals to thrive professionally, and give them confidence, validation, and answers to potentially lifelong questions.
A neurodiversity diagnosis can also enhance an individual’s ability to self-advocate, which can be empowering. Although self-advocacy is possible without a diagnosis, for many, an official diagnosis marks the beginning of this journey, and can open the door to connecting with support groups and communities, providing a sense of belonging and shared experience.
Preparing for Your Neurodiversity Assessment: What to Expect
It is important to consider appropriately preparing for a neurodiversity diagnosis to help ensure you get the most comprehensive evaluation, leading to an accurate assessment. Some steps to take into consideration are:
Gathering Personal History, Reflecting on Experiences and Preparing Documentation:
Before the assessment is booked in with one of our team, a pre-assessment questionnaire is sent out. This is where you can provide any past information such as other diagnoses, medications, and/or treatment, as well as current circumstances and past experiences in childhood to help identify signs or patterns of neurodivergent traits. It is also beneficial, but not always necessary and dependent on the diagnostic assessment, to provide medical and educational records, as well as third party observations from friends and family members.
Logistics and Preparation:
Once given a time and date for your neurodiversity assessment, it is important to confirm your attendance. If the date does no longer works for you, you can let the team know. Do not worry if the first appointment offered is not suitable, as Lexxic understands how busy work schedules are and will look to find a time to suit you. Being a remote-first organisation, the majority of our diagnostic assessments are conducted virtually, so it's essential to ensure you are well-prepared for this format. Here are some tips to help you get ready:
Ensure you have access to a computer with a camera. It is a requirement within the assessment to have your microphone and camera switched on.
Check if you have access to video conferencing software such as Zoom or MS Teams. You may need to consult your IT team if using a laptop from work to ensure that the software is enabled.
Think about where you could complete the assessment. Access to a private, quiet space within your home or office is needed to comply with confidentiality, as well as minimising external distractions that may impact the accuracy of the assessment.
The Assessment:
Depending on the neurodiversity assessment, these can vary in time taken. For example, a dyslexia diagnostic assessment can last anywhere between three to four hours, whereas ADHD and Autism diagnostic assessments are often split into multiple sessions, typically lasting an hour, depending on the information disclosed.
Your assessor will have received the relevant information provided by you prior to your assessment. They will have prepared accordingly by reading the documentation you have sent in to help inform the assessment. During the assessment, your assessor will explore your pre-assessment questionnaire with you and will gather more information about your background, childhood, adulthood, medical history, educational background, work experiences and any previous diagnoses or treatments. A discussion will also be had around your current challenges and any traits that you have been experiencing that prompted the assessment.
You can also expect to complete standardised questionnaires or activities, depending on the type of diagnostic assessment. These can include self-report scales, as well as measures of cognitive ability.
After gathering all the relevant data, your assessor will integrate this information to create a comprehensive picture of your cognitive and behavioural profile. This detailed analysis allows the assessor to determine whether your symptoms align with a specific neurodifference. Following the assessment, you will receive a comprehensive written report that outlines the findings, diagnosis, and any tailored recommendations. This report is provided within the specified deadline, ensuring timely access to your results.
In addition to the written report, you can schedule a feedback session to discuss the results in detail. While this session is optional, it offers a valuable chance to gain further clarity on your assessment, ask questions, and explore the recommended next steps. Engaging in this feedback session can help you better understand your diagnosis and how to implement the suggested strategies to enhance your daily life.
Personalised Support and Recommendations from Lexxic
The support you can receive from Lexxic doesn’t end there. In fact, gaining a neurodiversity diagnosis is just the beginning of a journey towards receiving tools, resources and accommodations that can help you thrive. Lexxic offers several next steps to ensure you can effectively manage any challenges and maximise your strengths and skills.
Workplace Needs Assessment:
A Workplace Needs Assessment is one of the first steps Lexxic provides after a diagnosis. This assessment is designed to identify specific adjustments and accommodations that can help you perform at your best. By evaluating your work environment and understanding your unique needs, we can provide tailored recommendations that aim to create a workspace that enhances your productivity and comfort, ensuring you can work efficiently without unnecessary barriers.
Tailored Coaching:
Personalised coaching sessions are another crucial support structure that Lexxic offers. These sessions are tailored to an individual’s needs, providing strategies and tools to maximise their strengths and manage challenges effectively. Whether you need help with areas such as improving attention to detail and concentration, developing organisation and prioritising skills, or improving communication, coaching can offer practical advice and support. This personalised approach is designed to support individuals at every stage of their career and throughout their own personal neurodiversity journey.
Neurodiversity Workshops and Webinars:
To foster truly neuro-inclusive work environments, Lexxic provides a range of neurodiversity workshops and webinars for line managers and individuals. This training helps to raise awareness and understanding around neurodifferences and the value neurodivergent talent can bring to the workplace. By educating teams about about the specific needs of their neurodivergent colleagues and how to effectively support them, this training helps to create a more supportive and accommodating work environment where everyone feels valued and can contribute their best work.
e-Learning Modules:
Lexxic also offers e-Learning modules that provide ongoing education about neurodiversity. These modules are accessible anytime and anywhere, allowing individuals and teams to conveniently learn at their own pace. Our e-Learning modules cover a range of topics, from Neurodiversity Awareness for Line Managers and Introduction to Neurodiversity, to individual skills modules to help learners explore their workplace preferences and develop core skills.
These steps can create a comprehensive support system that can help you to thrive professionally and personally. To find out more and talk to one of our team about arranging a neurodiversity diagnostic or screening assessment, click the button below.
This blog was written by Josh Evans, Senior Business Psychologist at Lexxic.