Neurodiversity at work (Part 1): Myths, misconceptions and the lived experience, with Ashlea Cromby, Tracey West, Alice de Coverley and Victoria Othen

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.

Ahead of ADHD awareness month in October, we are devoting our latest deep-dive mini-series to the topic of neurodiversity. Given 15 to 20% of the UK population are neurodivergent - and more than half of Gen Z identify as "definitely" or "somewhat" neurodiverse - it is essential for employers to understand how neurodiversity interacts with, and affects, employment law and the world of work.

In part one, we explore the lived experience of neurodivergence and dispel some common myths and misconceptions. Host Ellie Gelder is joined by a panel of four special guests: Ashlea Cromby and Tracey West of Auticon, Alice de Coverley of 3PB Chambers and RPC's own Victoria Othen (further details below).

We discuss:

• Terminology;
• The challenges of gaining a diagnosis;
• Associated difficulties post-diagnosis – in Alice's words: "It's like learning the plot twist at the end of the book and then re -reading that book with a new and fresh understanding of who you are and who you have always been";
• How neurodivergence affects a person's day-to-day experience at work;
• Masking neurodevelopmental conditions;
• Requesting reasonable adjustments and examples of supportive measures; and
• How our guests perceive the interaction between neurodivergence and disability.

Our panel

• Ashlea Cromby, neuroinclusion advisor and Tracey West, careers coach, from Auticon, a global IT consulting business and social enterprise that exclusively employs adults on the autism spectrum in permanent roles as IT consultants.
• Alice de Coverley, specialist education equality and public law barrister from 3PB Chambers. As an ADHDer herself, Alice is treasurer and trustee of Neurodiversity in Law. She's passionate about advancing the representation of all neurodivergent lawyers and recently won the Legal 500 ESG 2024 Disability Neurodiversity Bar Champion of the Year Award.
• RPC's own Victoria Othen, employment law consultant who frequently advises employers on disability discrimination claims, an increasing number of which involve neurodivergence.

Join us for part 2 next week when we will look at the law, HR considerations and wellbeing in relation to neurodiversity.

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All information is correct at the time of recording.  

The Work Couch is not a substitute for legal advice.