Attracting neurodivergent talent and ensuring everyone can thrive: a guide for hr and employers

Why?

Neurodiversity is a fact: an estimated 15 to 20 % of the wold’s population is neurodivergent (including people with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, high potential, high sensitivity, introversion, and more). Neurodivergent employees often bring exceptional analytical skills, creativity, and attention to detail. These are skills that can significantly strengthen your organisation and are crucial in our knowledge-based economy, which necessitates creativity and agility.

Organisations that consciously commit to neuro-inclusion are making both an ethical and a strategic choice:

• Companies focusing on neuro-inclusion see their turnover increase and their net profit double. Neurodiverse teams break through groupthink, which leads to innovation.
• Neuro-inclusive recruitment and support lead to a higher retention rate (up to 92% in some programmes) and higher productivity.
• A neuro-inclusive policy reduces stress and burn-out risks for all employees and contributes to a sustainable and manageable work policy.

Now, how do you attract this talented group? How do you offer everyone a positive application experience? And most importantly, once on board, how do you ensure a smooth induction period and inclusion in the team? As an HR professional and employer, how do you ensure that everyone can grow and excel, receives equal opportunities, and feels comfortable within your organisation?

Without knowledge and active adjustments, neurodivergent employees leave the organisation faster, due to factors such as misunderstanding, prejudice, and a lack of flexibility in processes. This training equips you with the knowledge and strategies to remove invisible barriers for neurodivergent candidates and employees, thus attracting neurodivergent talent and enabling everyone in your organisation to thrive.

What and for whom?

In this workshop, we focus on universal recruitment, onboarding, talent management, and performance management for attracting and retaining all talents — both neurodivergent and neurotypical. Alongside valuable insights and potential strategies, we will engage in interactive exercises.

Designed for HR professionals, and employers who are committed to neuro-inclusion.

Provided as a four-hour online or on-site session, in English, French or Dutch.

What you’ll learn

During this workshop, you will discover:

• Foundations and culture for neuro-inclusion: What are neurodiversity, neurodivergence, and neuro-inclusion? The role of HR or the employer in breaking down prejudices and creating allyship within the organisation. The importance of psychological safety and connectedness as the basis for neuro-inclusion.
• Neuro-inclusive recruitment & onboarding: Designing clear, neutral, and accessible job vacancies. Flexible and low-stress selection procedures that focus on competencies instead of ‘cultural fit’. Creating a structured and transparent onboarding process with the right support (e.g., a buddy).
• Talent & performance management and retention policy: Utilising job crafting and strength-based management to optimally leverage talents. Implementing neuro-inclusive evaluations and feedback processes focused on outcomes rather than merely output. Encouraging growth opportunities.
• Team support: The strategic role of HR in facilitating team autonomy and supporting managers with Neuro-Inclusive Leadership, flexibility, and reasonable accommodations.

Facilitated by

Daphné De Troch learnt how to create a safe work environment for and lead a team of neurodivergent people, after she was diagnosed with ADHD and autism. She started Bjièn with Dietrich to help other leaders and teams with the awareness of neurodiversity and make their workplace neuroinclusive.

Dietrich Moerman is a software engineering expert turned neurodiversity consultant and trainer. He learnt the power of psychological safety and limiting cognitive load while leading software development teams, gradually discovering the value for his own ADHD and autistic brain. Today, he helps leaders and HR professionals to let their teams thrive with neurodiversity.

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