Have you ever considered how hard it is to concentrate in a meeting because the patterns on the walls are alive? Why do the words in an email begin to dance and whirl the closer you get to a deadline? What if you couldn’t find the words to properly explain why you do things differently to everyone else? What if you preferred to explain things using pictures instead?
Neurodiversity is a reference to the natural diversity of human cognitive functioning; the fact that we all have differently wired brains. This umbrella term, coined by the sociologist Judy Singer, recognises that our society is made up of individuals with more typical cognitive processing (Neurotypical) and individuals who diverge from this societal typicality (Neurodivergent).
Neurodiversity recognises that individuals might have a profound difference in ability for different tasks, both positively and negatively, and that if we understand this, we can create environments, products and services which accommodate everyone’s abilities and preferences, whether neurotypical or neurodivergent.
It is estimated that around One in seven people are Neurodivergent and a growing number of employers are beginning to include Neurodiversity as part of their wider D&I strategy, recognising emerging research that demonstrates the value of cognitive diversity in an inclusive and accessible environment.
BBC Cape is the BBC’s Neurodiversity initiative, created to remove barriers in the workplace and open opportunities for Neurodivergent employees, by improving the understanding of and support available for people with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Condition, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Tourette’s.