April is Autism Acceptance Month. While Autism Awareness Month, as it was previously called, has helped raise awareness of autism and its challenges, some advocates argue that awareness campaigns can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and a deficit-based view of autism. The term "acceptance" emphasizes the need to celebrate neurodiversity and recognize the unique strengths and abilities of people with autism, rather than solely focusing on the challenges. Hence, in recent years, the goal of advocates has been to shift the focus from awareness to acceptance of autism and to promote a more inclusive and respectful society for people on the autism spectrum.

Neurodiversity refers to the range of neurological differences among individuals, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other conditions. Studies show that currently, between 15-20% of the population is neurodiverse — including up to 10% of people who are diagnosed with dyslexia, 5% with ADHD, and 1-2% with ASD.

When speaking about diversity, equity, and inclusion, neurodiversity is often forgotten. Recent research studies show that neurodiverse individuals can bring unique strengths to the workplace, such as exceptional attention to detail, high levels of creativity, and an ability to see problems from multiple perspectives. However, they may also face challenges related to communication, social interaction, and sensory sensitivities.

Join the conversation as Dr. Tiffany Ingram, DEI Advisor at OurOffice, Alexandra’s Gilbert, Founder and CEO of Cape-Able Consulting, and Dr. Brittany Patrick, Director of Education Management at Opportunity Consulting, discuss the value of neurodiversity in the workplace, and how organizations can create more inclusive and accommodating workplaces for neurodiverse individuals.

Executives and leaders, as well as HR and DEI professionals and champions across organizations of any type and size, will benefit from learning about the following at this webinar:

• The current state of disability equity in the workplace
• Advantages of having neurodiversity in the workplace
• How to create neurodiverse-inclusive work environments that impact the growth and development of all employees.

We look forward to seeing you at the webinar.