Neurodiversity is the range of common differences in thinking and behavior which we now understand to be normal variations in humans. This includes conditions such as autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and others. Neurodiverse variations have played a central role in the development of human society, yet neurodiverse people have been historically misunderstood and marginalized as individuals.

This course uses autism as a primary example to introduce a basic understanding of neurodiversity and of its role in society and within the workplace. The majority of autistic people (now understood to be 1 in 54 individuals) are employable, yet only 29% have any sort of paid work. This is despite the fact that common autistic traits - such as intense attention to detail, self-taught expertise, high integrity, and ease in sustaining deep focus and ‘flow’ - are traits needed in an effective 21st Century workforce.

The course explores how increasing the understanding and acceptance of neuro differences allows more people to enter the workplace, and what concrete steps we can take to better understand and support neurodivergent colleagues, highlighting how leading companies foster neurodiversity to their advantage. A key feature of the course is a set of self-assessments to gain a better awareness of our own neurodiversity so that we can be more effective self-advocates in our lives and workplaces.