It is important to remember that practitioners facilitating interventions may also be Neurodivergent. The development of neuroinclusive workplaces and working practices can therefore be beneficial for practitioners too. By developing and championing neuroinclusive working practices within your organisation, you are building a culture that will support Neurodivergent practitioners to feel welcome, accepted and better supported in their role. Previous research on the experiences of and discussions with Neurodivergent DAPP practitioners (Renehan, 2026; Renehan and Fitz-Gibbon, 2022), and the many strengths and insights they can bring as programme facilitators when workplaces are neuroinclusive (Renehan, 2024a), are set out below:
- Neurodivergent practitioners say that they can connect with other Neurodivergent clients naturally and ‘dont have to translate’
- There is ‘another dimension’ to their understanding when working/communicating with Neurodivergent people; a vibe that is difficult to explain.
- Neurodivergent practitioners say they have a natural disposition to ‘think outside of the box’ that adapts to many learning, communication and relational styles. This is important as there is a need for diversity and diverse thinking in the workforce.
- There is a need to harness (and recruit for) divergence within organisations (great minds do not all think alike) – but organisations also need to create inclusive environments in which Neurodivergent colleagues can flourish
- Neurodivergent practitioners say they are able to engage with black and white (all or nothing) thinking (often misunderstood as a lack of empathy inherent solely to Autistic people) that comes with being unable to put oneself in someone else’s shoes (human reaction -inability/unwilling to take perspective of others when this is self-defeating/painful/raises conflict) – explaining this in ways that the client understands and personally connects with.
- Neurodivergent practitioners are able to engage in literal thinking – an ability to talk, think, explain in concrete ways that are inclusive for all and that do not add unnecessary detail.