Accommodations for Neurodiversity in the Workplace

An introduction for supervisors looking to accommodate autistic or neurodiverse employees in the workplace. Over 80% of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed, this video touches on some strategies for helping them be successful at work.

Frist Center For Autism and Innovation

[casebeth]

This is fantastic. Coaching people and explaining instead of shaming.

[chrisSea]

Thank you for this video. I recently learned that I’m neurodiverse. I was feeling bad about myself the past few months for not doing well at work. I’ve thought about quitting an amazing job. But through videos like this I’m understanding that maybe there’s a reason I’m struggling but maybe I simply need some accommodations.

[galespressos]

Yes, massive miscommunication messes. It’s a huge problem with people not meaning what they say, not following through or the literal meaning being not being what what was meant. Additionally when I say something and I think it’s clear and reminding people that they said yes and my thinking we had a plan and my preparing and my taking action on it, but people after all that effort and investment of preparation and action on what I thought was agreed, it’s awful. So I feel upset and exhausted. Conversely, it’s true that often somebody/somebodies gets/get upset when I’ve said something not intending to be mean or critical at all, but just being factual or matter of fact. Exactly right on these challenges. So well said.

[B.D.TRX]

This was amazing ...and emotional .... I am so literal that it causes misconceptions and issues in my life from others.. also neurodiversity for me in the workplace frustrates others... Especially when there's a one size fits all training approach... With the inability to ask questions later..

[marcusaurelius]

I loved this video. Accommodations get a bad rap, but if we focus on it being “how to get the best out of staff with special talents” I think it will be more productive. Incan’t count how many employer mandated workshops I have had to sit through for neurotypical people, which were completely useless for my needs.

[milliondollarbaby]

This is so fabulous and I'm saving it to my Neurodiversity bookmarks. Much appreciated from an ADHD'er who has a lot of learning to do about neurodiversity and people with autism in particular. #differentnotless

[ivanaldana]

Teachers please help our students by watching this. Be forgiving and flexible how profound.

[turquoisemama]

Great video! Not understanding why this video doesn't have at least a million views. Seriously. Well, I did what I could to change that. Thanks for posting.

[BearFulmer]

I was happy for many years before I was consistently marginalized and was met with no understanding. It wears you down and some people can't afford adult diagnosis because it's expensive to "require accomodations" so they just take advantage of your abilities when it benefits the company and they treat you like crap when they could give the smallest effort to try and understand

[GoddybagLee]

Neurotypicals often forget the fact that what is a minor uncomfortable situation to them. Is all our lives all days all weeks. So when they feel uncomfortable doing small stuff for us Neurodivergent people and therefore helping us deal with less uncomfortable life it's actually what they should be doing.

[galespressos]

Massive problem with the sensory. Lights, smells, certain noises, and more. Seems a small thing to accommodate at times or if not small seems well worth it to make functioning better.

[jefferykwant]

Hello Dr. Dave Caudel; Can you help me get started in getting ideas to get connected with Neurodiversity content creators because like you I am a big self advocate. I am getting a late start in knowing my neurodevelopmental gifts. 46 years went without the best diagnosis that is accurate.

[datnohi]

I work in an open office and have issues with sensory overload so I ended up purchasing some very expensive noise cancelation earbuds just so I could at least function and do my job and they let you use earbuds for my job is not phone based, because these earbuds do such a wonderful job of drowning out noise I can't really engage with my coworkers because I can't hear them which is what I prefer because they are unfortunately very toxic and clique driven which is the perfect storm for bullying so now I'm being targeted because I'm quit, you Can't win when you're like this even though there are accommodations, it never helps when you are constantly being bullied and harassed because you are different and most jobs favor and support the toxic environment

[happinessispossible]

I thought it is neurodivergence. Neurodiversity is a mix between people being neurodivergent and neurotypical, or?

[roxannerayburn]

If I ask for accommodations for autism, will they expect to see a diagnosis?

[koyomedia]

i dont know if i have autism i just started looking into it last night.but i have trouble with the the social aspect of work and usually quit my job because of it.i find it difficult navigating the social environment and would rather just work without having to interact with other people.i just have a hard time connecting with people, and also i dont feel like talking to people all the time and find the micro(little) social interactions a drag.i do feel like people dont always take what im saying how i meant it and read me wrong.i think i can understand sarcasm and what not but i definately dont think like other people im beginning to realise.and i have been experiencing stigma from other people because of my bad social skills, or my lack of socialising.its funny i literally just wanna do my job and dont bother anyone but somehow it seems like i piss people off somhow.like im just here to make money not friends.ive tried to make friends but i just end up being overwhelmed and regret it so i just try not to make friends now and just try to do my job.

[Lrggrl]

Lol me an autistic individual who works a customer service job that does require me to do 10 hour shifts every weekend. Since it’s a serving and bartending in a casino I don’t really get a solid break but many little ones that are often interrupted. Trying to figure out how not to get burnt out bc I like my coworkers and I make great money for the time being

[seefore]

It's pretty miserable when coworkers say things they don't mean, but everyone understands their actual meaning except me. Then I either look dumb or act dumb by taking people's words at face value when that's the wrong thing to do.

[bizzybears]

I prefer to refer to my personality as colourful :)

[myusaris]

This video has found me way too late. I have lost my job due to my company and HR refusing to accomodate me. I wasn't asking for outlandish things, I just wanted my desk to be back at the spot where I found that office to be less overwhelming and some understanding towards my differences. I've tried for five months, sinking into an autistic burnout in the process. I want to believe there's good companies out there happy to accomodate us because our differences can be an asset, but when every idea to make things better is met with excuses and skepticism, you should know straight away that such company is not your space to be.

I just hope my next job, whatever that will be, treats me slightly better