An estimated 15% to 20% of the world’s population is neurodiverse, and many of those individuals are not part of the global workforce. The unemployment rates for neurodivergent people are often much higher than those for people with physical disabilities. In the U.S., for example, the unemployment rate for neurodivergent individuals can be as high as 40%. In response, some companies have changed their hiring practices and developed more inclusive programs to level the playing field for neurodivergent employees.
Watch the video above as Straight Arrow News contributor Adrienne Lawrence argues that much more needs to be done to fully integrate these bright minds into the workforce.
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The following is an excerpt from the above video:
Because in order for that to happen, though, organizations must improve their inclusivity efforts, deprogram themselves from excluding others because of their personalities not necessarily fitting the mold.
Look at how tech can accommodate, such as providing chatbots for people who may not want to necessarily interface with HR. Practice neuroinclusivity so people who thrive in different environments can thrive in your environment.
America is currently facing unemployment rates, as I mentioned, as high as 30% to 40% from neurodivergent adults. That’s huge. And that also means that there is a loss in economy there, in benefits to our GDP, because individuals aren’t being allowed in the door. Research before the pandemic, in fact, said that about 50% of autistic adults in the U.S. were unemployed.
Bill Gates is an autist, as is Elon Musk, Amanda Seales, Eminem, Lionel Messi, Tim Burton, Dan Ackroyd, the list goes on and on of talented individuals, including myself.