NOT SO TYPICAL: WIS NSW HOST EVENT ON NEURODIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

The conversation around neurodiversity in the workplace has been gathering momentum over recent years, particularly as a greater number of organisations are identifying the need for flexible and multi-dimensional workplace practices. 

In a recent event, Championing the Change, WIS NSW spearheaded the conversation, with speakers Dr Melanie Hayworth, the founder and CEO of Reframing Autism and an autistic mother of three autistic children, and Charlotte Valeur, a champion of diversity and inclusion in business, and founder of the Institute of Diversity.

Throughout their incredible careers, both speakers went on to become founders of organisations focused on neuro-inclusivity and achieved directorships on various boards. They shared valuable insights into the experiences of people with autism in the workplace, taking event attendees on their own personal journeys of navigating the corporate environment with Autism.

Valeur, who was diagnosed with Autism in 2017, spoke about the need for a more inclusive and accepting workplace culture. She highlighted the fact that people with autism can bring unique skills and perspectives to the table, and that these talents are often overlooked or undervalued.

As Investment Magazine’s, Lachlan Maddock, quoted in his coverage of the event: “The strength that we have is often around pattern seeking and systemising… It’s people who systemise who have been able to create mathematics, music, languages,” Valeur said.

“You can only do that if you think deeply about it for many years. It’s not a coincidence that nature has decided it needs people like us; all-rounders are good, but they rarely change the world.”

Dr Melanie Heyworth went on to speak to some of the biases experienced by neurodiverse women with an educational piece on how to identify and support neurodiverse employees in the workplace. She urged employers to embrace neurodiversity and make the necessary accommodations to ensure that all employees can thrive.

Following on from the several questions asked by attendees at the event, Heyworth’s organisation, Reframing Autism (a non-profit organization that advocates for the acceptance and inclusion of autistic people), provided some helpful resources to WIS to share with our wider member base.

For those wondering whether their neurodiverse, one of the resources that Reframing Autism recommended is the CATI (Camouflaging Autistic Traits Inventory) questionnaire. This online tool can be used as a screening tool for autism, although it is not diagnostic. Reframing Autism also provided a number of articles specifically geared towards workplace accommodations, self-acceptance, and self-advocacy for autistic employees.

Overall, the Women in Super event was a valuable contribution to the conversation around neurodiversity in the workplace. By bringing together experts and advocates in this field, the event helped to raise awareness and promote understanding of the unique needs and talents of neurodiverse individuals.