October is annual ADHD Awareness Month here in the UK. This month is intended to raise awareness of ADHD and to help people understand the challenges faced by those affected by ADHD. ADHD is a condition that affects how your brain processes information. As a result, there are many symptoms associated with ADHD which include having a short attention span, time-blindness, inability to focus for long periods of time and much more. ADHD is one of many different types on conditions that someone who is not neurotypical may have. Other conditions that impact on how your brain processes information include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Birkbeck University of London have reported that 31.5% of the British workforce are neurodivergent.
Neurodivergent vs. Neurodiverse
You may hear these two terms used interchangeably; however, they do mean different things. Neurodiverse refers to a collective group of people who are both neurotypical and neurodivergent. A group can be neurodiverse, an individual cannot. Neurodivergent describes an individual who is not neurotypical, they may have ASD, ADHD, OCD or another condition that means their brain processes information in a different way.
As a Court of Protection Paralegal, it is my role to assist clients who lack mental capacity. A lot of our clients have learning difficulties or brain damage and would fall within the neurodivergent category. Throughout my experience within this role, I have developed an understanding of the challenges faced by neurodivergent people, and an appreciation of the importance of making accommodations for these differences, to make their day to day lives easier.
So, how can businesses become more neurodivergent friendly, and accommodate for a neurodiverse group of clients, customers or teams? Here are 5 simple ways that businesses can become more accommodating:
Book a quiet room for meetings
Booking a quiet room for meetings can make a big difference for clients who are neurodivergent. This is because individuals with conditions such as ADHD or ASD may struggle to focus on the information being presented or topics being discussed if there are other noises or visual distractions in the room.
People with ASD often struggle with sensory overload due to a heightened sensitivity to sensory information. This occurs when they are in an environment where there may be too much sensory information being processed by the individual at one time. For example, if there are outside noises, this may distract from the conversation being had during the meeting.
Ask clients how they would prefer to be contacted
Some neurodivergent clients, especially those with ASD or OCD, may prefer to be contacted through specific channels. For example, they may prefer to be contacted via email because phone calls trigger feelings of anxiety for them. They may also prefer to have meetings over Teams or Zoom instead of face-to-face interactions. These preferences vary based upon the individual, so it is always best to ask rather than to assume a preference. This small step can help to make a client feel more welcome and relaxed.
It is also recommended to follow up any verbal contact with a written summary of the conversation. This is so that the client can refer to any points and resolutions for clarity, as some of this information may have overlooked during the meeting, or they may experience difficulties when recalling this information.
Set deadlines and stick to them
This tip can benefit clients with ADHD and ASD in different ways. Individuals with ADHD are more likely than neurotypical people to overthink the benefits and disadvantages of situations and any possible outcomes. This can lead to anxiety around these circumstances. Providing a deadline can provide some comfort to the client that they will have a resolution on the set date.
On the other hand, individuals with ASD often value routine and certainty, so having reliable deadlines is one way to provide comfort to these clients and ease any apprehension.
Avoid rescheduling or changing meetings
Similarly, this can reduce anxiety of apprehension for neurodivergent clients. If they are aware of a meeting or relevant date, it will be comforting to know that this plan is definitive and will not change. Changes to routines and plans can cause increased stress for those with ASD.
Allow for extra time within meetings
Allowing for some extra time during meetings and calls enables clients to raise any questions they may have. As addressed under point 1, neurodivergent people may struggle to process multiple sets of sensory information and therefore may need extra clarification of what has been covered during a meeting. It is important that clients know that their questions are welcomed and that we value their ability to understand the situation and be informed on their matters.
Neurodivergent people perceive the world around them in different ways and each client is unique. The above tips are small ways to help clients feel more comfortable within your office, and to make them feel more secure is using your service. These small steps all help to make a larger positive difference.
The Jackson Lees Court of Protection Team takes pride in our client service, and our ability to understand the needs of neurodivergent individuals. To contact our team with a new enquiry, please email enquiries@jacksonlees.co.uk or call our welcome team on 0151 282 1700.