TOP TIPS FOR HOW TO SUPPORT NEURODIVERSE EMPLOYEES WORKING REMOTELY DURING COVID 19

1         Organisation

Maintaining organisation systems and work life balance can be difficult when working from home, especially for neurodiverse individuals. Try the following techniques to aid with organisation:

·       Try to replicate your workplace routine as much as possible to help with consistency, although you may wish to consider flexible working hours to minimise distraction, especially around childcare;

·       Write daily to-do lists and set calendar reminders;

·       Set deadlines ahead of the official deadline accounting for realistic delays as a result of homeworking;

·       Where possible, assign team tasks to align with individual strengths or the demands of the home environment.

2       Social Interaction

In this time, it is important to maintain interaction and social communication in the team. For ASC (Autistic Spectrum Condition) individuals, it is recommended that they inform their team, friends and family their preferred means of communication and when they would like to be contacted. To maintain interaction, you could:

·       Have weekly 1-2-1s with your line manager, but also organise virtual meetings to discuss non-work topics or to host team games such as, quizzes;

·       Maintain extra awareness that social cues may be easier to miss virtually, so avoid ambiguous language and ‘banter’ via telephone and video conferencing;

·       Provide as much notice and detail of changes and how this is likely to impact ASC individuals in advance;

·       Give clear instructions and guidelines for task steps and expectations and make them visual if possible.

3 Wellbeing

It is important to implement and reflect on techniques to support wellbeing during these circumstances. Things to consider include:

·       Select exposure to news streams to minimise anxiety. Unfollow or turn off notifications where necessary;

·       Ensure you take regular breaks and adequate downtime at the end of your working day;

·       Maintain your social interactions by organising social events with friends and family via Zoom and making regular phone calls with loved ones and friends.

·       Exercise & Nutrition: try to maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Try to keep active and, if you can, make use of the many online exercise and meditation classes now available online.

4 Concentration

To support concentration at home for neurodiverse individuals try implementing the following techniques:

·       Work towards a 20 to 25-minute timer, and alternate between difficult and easy tasks.

·       Minimise distractions: put a sign on your door when you are not to be disturbed, if you are distracted by movement, try setting up your workstation away from a window and towards the wall. Turn off device notifications when you are completing a complex task.

·       Multi-sensory learning: to encourage engagement utilise assistive technology, take notes, read out loud or hold a fidget item to create multisensory learning.

5   Workplace set up

Ergonomics: If you do not have access to certain ergonomics provided in your office, speak to your Occupational Health provider, Line Manager or HR team to see what options are available. Ergonomic assessments can be delivered remotely, and many suppliers offer contactless delivery.

·       Separate Location: If you can, try to set up your workspace in a location that is outside of your downtime space. If this is not possible, keep the area decluttered and clear things away at the end of the day to help you switch off.

·       Sensory Sensitives: Certain sensory sensitives may be easier to control for when working from home. To help with these consider:

o   Light:  Dim lights, turn lights off and sit near natural daylight if preferred.

o   Sound: Use noise cancelling headphones or listen to white noise/ instrumental music.

6     Writing

Neurodiverse individuals may not have access to things they would in their office such as, a printer for proofreading or dual screens. Tips to help include:

·       Provide best practice examples of written work or templates with prompts;

·       Mind-map thoughts before writing and use structures such as STAR to structure text effectively;

·       Develop a proofreading and accuracy checklist based on previous mistakes;

·       Use assistive technologies.

7  Assistive technology

Assistive technology is accessible remotely on most devices. Here are some examples:

Text to Speech Software: Reads text aloud helping individuals to proofread their work and process information when reading. Some brands also contain additional functions to support with reading and writing.

Neurotalent Unlocked e-Learning:

·       Line Managers can raise their awareness of neurodiverse conditions and how to support an individual with these conditions.

·       Employees can develop in softer skills focused around reading, writing, organisation, listening, note-taking and concentrating.

Please note: Downloading software and web browsers will likely need to be approved by IT departments and senior member of staff. These must adhere to organisations regulations and GDPR guidelines.

8 Remote Support from Lexxic

Lexxic are still delivering best practice services remotely at this time. We can offer:

By Amber Williams, Business Psychologist at Lexxic