Businesses are comprising neurodiverse talents to boost their productivity, creativity, and culture. FTSE-listed corporations such as Ernst & Young, Microsoft, Ford, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) have reported gains in productivity since they have embedded neurodiverse talents in their HR programs.
In the age of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), neurodiversity is a competitive advantage. According to a study by University of Montreal and Harvard University, individuals with autism can solve problems 40% faster than neurotypical individuals. Also, neurodivergent individuals have exceptional technical and mathematical abilities.
Who would want to lose on such incredible talents?
Apparently, no one!
Businesses are seeking a more neurodiverse workforce to boost their bottom line and stay competitive.
Let's discuss some values neurodivergent employees are bringing to your business.
- Information processing
Many individuals with autism are exceedingly good at processing and identifying critical information. The data processing ability of these individuals has a higher-than-average prevalence in IT positions, although this skill translates well to a variety of non-IT jobs as well.
Individuals with autism excel at recognizing patterns and spotting anomalies. Around 20% possess above-average skills in one or more areas such as mathematics, mechanics, reading, music, or art.
- Higher productivity
Employees with neurodivergence have wondrous work abilities to shine in any task.
Businesses with neurodivergent teams have observed a boost in productivity. According to Sofia Neale of Aspergers Victoria, “If you are placing [neurodivergent] individuals in the right roles, we’ve found that [their] activity can be 40% above that of a neurotypical person.”
According to a JPMorgan Chase report, neurodivergent employees in certain tech roles are 90% to 140% more productive than their neurotypical coworkers.
Another winning game is consistency. These individuals have a much higher rate of consistency than neurotypical individuals.
- Creative problem-solving
Individuals with neurodiversity have an impressive ability to detect complex patterns more quickly and easily. This helps them solve the complexities of any problem creatively.
According to research, the temporal and occipital regions of the brain, which are associated with perception and pattern recognitions, are more active in neurodivergent people than in allistic or neurotypical individuals.
- Attention-to-detail
Neurodivergent individuals excel in rule-based thinking. Often, these individuals bring a deep concentration to complex and repetitive tasks. Plus, these individuals are excellent at sustaining their attention for long periods of time.
These individuals can pay equal attention to every detail.
- Higher retention rate
When neurodivergent employees feel supported and encouraged, they stay longer. Autism hiring programs in companies such as SAP, JPMorgan Chase, EY, and Microsoft have a retention rate of over 90%
Final words
The benefits list does not end here. Every business can benefit differently by providing fit-in roles to individuals with autism and neurodiversity.
Greta Thunberg, a climate activist who has Asperger's, once said, "I have Asperger's and that means I'm sometimes a bit different from the norm. And - given the right circumstances - being different is a superpower."
With proper training, accommodations, and accessibility, neurodivergent individuals can bring their A-game to work.
