How to Improve Neurodiversity Training (So we make real change)

Sometimes I sit in conferences listening to neurodiversity advice and I find my toes curling. Here is three areas of how I believe we need to improve neurodiversity training as an industry to make sure we are going to make a real difference.

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Improving Neurodiversity Training

Improving neurodiversity training is essential If we want to make real change, I believe these are simple starts that will go a long way.

Only training managers:  Of course we want to upskill managers, and that matters. But look around the room at most of these sessions and a large share of the attendees are neurodivergent individuals themselves. So why are we only speaking to the managers in the room? The people living it are right there, often getting nothing that speaks directly to them.

Too much finger wagging: I understand the frustration. Many of us have spent years being misunderstood. That frustration can come across as finger-wagging, and finger-wagging rarely changes anyone's mind. People do not shift their perspective because they have been told off. If we want to bring people with us, the tone has to invite them in, not push them away.

Awareness is not enough: Although I have seen some improvement on this, I do still think many sessions are stopping at the basics. What dyslexia is, what the signs are, and not much further. Awareness is a start, but awareness alone does not create the change we so badly need. People leave knowing a little more and doing nothing differently. All trainings need to include what happens next: the practical shifts, the systems, the conversations that actually change how someone works.

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Dyslexia in Adults

Dyslexia in Adults was created to help people stop struggling in silence and finally get the understanding and support I could never find myself. If you are ready to take the next step.

Here are a few ways to start:

Read the book. My book Dyslexia Unlocked, published by Bloomsbury, explores all of this in much more detail, and is a good place to begin making sense of your own dyslexic mind. 

Grab the free HR resource. Our free Dyslexia at Work Handbook gives HR teams and managers clear and practical steps for high-impact support.

Workplace training. If you would like more personal, tailored support, coaching works through exactly these challenges with you. You can find more details here.