Earlier this year, I wrote an article examining the experiences of neurodivergent women, who may have conditions such as autism, ADHD, or dyslexia in attaining leadership roles. The significant challenge I encountered during my reporting was the lack of data on the experience of neurodivergent individuals in the workplace. However, a recent study by Hopper Health, a virtual primary care practice for neurodivergent individuals, sheds more light on the issue.
The research surveyed 1,100 neurodivergent adults and found that only 41% of them received any workplace accommodations, and 6.5% were denied after requesting them. Neurodivergent women received less support compared to men. More specifically, only 6.41% received accommodations without asking, and 23.36% received them after asking.
Additionally, the surveyed women were less likely to be satisfied with their work, with only 20.71% expressing high satisfaction. This dissatisfaction could stem from the lack of support received from employers. However, employers can provide the needed support through affordable accommodations like flexible schedules, clear and concise instructions and training, comfortable workspaces, and support from HR practitioners trained to help neurodivergent workers.
The responsibility of supporting these workers falls on HR leaders who need to educate their managers on how to accommodate and assist neurodivergent employees. In other news, Latinas have made a significant economic recovery, with a historic high in workforce participation rate this year.