NeuroSpicy @ Work

Summary
In this episode, Duena Blomstrom and Aoife O'Brien discuss their personal journeys with neurodiversity, focusing on autism and ADHD. They explore the challenges of navigating corporate environments, the impact of masking, and the importance of self-acceptance and disclosure. The conversation highlights the need for better workplace cultures that accommodate neurodiverse individuals and the potential for advocacy within organizations. They also touch on the future of neurodiversity in the workplace and the significance of personal growth and awareness.

Takeaways

• Both hosts have been fighting for better workplaces for neurodiverse individuals.
• Understanding one's neurodiversity can lead to significant personal insights.
• Autistic burnout differs from general work burnout and is often overlooked.
• The process of diagnosis can be fraught with challenges and misunderstandings.
• Masking can lead to a loss of identity and authenticity in the workplace.
• Self-improvement is a common theme among neurodiverse individuals seeking acceptance.
• Disclosure of neurodiversity in the workplace can be risky but is essential for advocacy.
• There is a need for more leaders to openly discuss their neurodiversity.
• The journey of self-acceptance is ongoing and multifaceted.
• Workplaces must adapt to better support neurodiverse individuals.

Titles

• Navigating Neurodiversity in the Workplace
• Understanding Autistic Journeys and Burnout

Sound Bites

• "I always knew I wasn't fitting into the rigid corporate world."
• "I can feel visceral reactions."
• "It's time to be my authentic self."
• "If we don't have authenticity and Psychological Safety, we don't have inclusion"

Chapters

00:00
Navigating Neurodiversity in the Workplace

02:48
Understanding Autistic Burnout

05:25
The Journey to Diagnosis

08:16
Exploring AUADHD

11:01
The Impact of Masking

14:04
Authenticity and Vulnerability in the Workplace

17:29
The Journey of Self-Discovery

19:59
The Drive for Self-Improvement

22:17
Navigating Corporate Challenges

25:13
The Importance of Visibility and Leadership

28:03
The Rise of the Digital Nomad

34:50
Closing Thoughts on Neurodiversity

In this engaging discussion, Duena Blomstrom and David Gunter delve into the multifaceted realities of living and working as an autistic individual. David opens up about his deeply personal journey of self-discovery, from navigating life pre-diagnosis to embracing his identity post-diagnosis. Together, they unpack the challenges of thriving in professional spaces, the courage it takes to self-disclose, and the powerful ways autism can be reframed as a superpower. The conversation highlights the critical role of clear communication, workplace inclusivity, and community support while exploring society's evolving understanding of neurodiversity.

Takeaways

David was diagnosed with autism after turning 50.
Many autistic individuals excel in analytical and decision-making roles.
Finding a job that aligns with one's strengths is crucial for success.
Autism is recognized as a disability, but it also has positive traits.
Unmasking one's autism is a gradual process, not an all-or-nothing situation.
Clear communication is essential for effective workplace interactions.
Everyone has needs, and these should be recognized in the workplace.
Building trust with employers can facilitate better working conditions.
The younger generation is more self-aware about their neurodiversity.
Community support plays a vital role in the lives of autistic individuals.

Titles

• Navigating Autism in the Workplace
• The Journey of Self-Discovery and Advocacy

Sound Bites

• "I was diagnosed after I was 50 years old."
• "Clear communication is key in the workplace."
• "Lack of disclosure is for fear or reprecussions"
• "We all have needs, not just special needs."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Autism and Personal Journey

03:34
Understanding Autism and Its Misconceptions

06:26
The Role of Autism in Professional Success

09:28
Navigating Challenges in the Workplace

12:14
The Importance of Self-Awareness and Adaptation

15:10
Advocacy and Sharing Personal Experiences

18:10
Building Community and Finding Connection

20:58
Redefining Autism and Its Prevalence

23:26
Understanding Autism and Its Impact on Society

24:45
The Importance of Disclosure and Acceptance

25:46
Navigating Workplace Challenges as Autistic Individuals

28:21
The Process of Unmasking and Its Implications

30:13
Building Supportive Work Environments

33:54
Effective Communication in the Workplace

39:43
Managing Burnout and Emotional Labor

44:49
Advocacy and Future Perspectives on Autism

This conversation explores the progress and challenges in advocating for neurodiversity in the workplace. It highlights the importance of disclosure and accommodations for autistic individuals. The speakers discuss the growth of the autistic community and the need for self-awareness and acceptance. They also address the intersectionality of autism and other identities, such as race and gender. The conversation emphasizes the need for a shift in workplace culture to prioritize humanity and individual needs. The conversation explores the challenges faced by autistic individuals in society and the workplace, including the pressure to blend in and the need for accommodations. It highlights the importance of understanding and accepting neurodiversity, as well as the need for proper diagnosis and support. The concept of autistic burnout is discussed, emphasizing the need for self-care and understanding. The conversation also touches on the benefits of working with neurodivergent individuals and the value they bring to the workplace.
Takeaways

Advocacy for neurodiversity in the workplace has made progress but there is still work to be done.
Disclosure and accommodations are important for autistic individuals in the workplace.
The autistic community has grown and gained a strong voice through technology and social media.
Workplaces need to prioritize humanity and individual needs to create a more inclusive environment.
The intersectionality of autism and other identities should be considered in discussions about neurodiversity at work. The attitude in the world is shifting towards accepting and embracing differences, rather than expecting individuals to blend in.
Autistic individuals often face challenges in society and the workplace due to misconceptions and lack of understanding.
Autistic burnout is a real and debilitating experience that requires proper recognition and support.
Working with neurodivergent individuals can bring unique perspectives and strengths to the workplace.

Titles

• The Growth of the Autistic Community
• Advocating for Neurodiversity in the Workplace The Value of Neurodivergent Individuals in the Workplace
• Embracing Neurodiversity: Shifting Attitudes towards Acceptance

Sound Bites

• "We took advantage of technology to build our own community, to give ourselves a voice."
• "If we could all unmask at work and be ourselves at work, how different would work be?"
• "The ability to look at yourself, the self-awareness at the top is inexistent."
• "Nobody should be blending in anymore."
• "Had I not been autistic, that would have absolutely never happened to me."
• "I could either be non-verbal autistic and then I would get some help, or I could be super high achieving 250,000 followers influencer and then I'm not autistic."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Advocacy for Autism

04:09
Progress and Changes in Understanding Autism in the Workplace

10:51
Unmasking and Authenticity in the Workplace

16:02
The Need for Big Changes in Workplace Culture

20:55
Redefining Work and Humaneness

23:52
The Role of the Younger Generation in Driving Change

27:19
The Struggle to Hide Differences and Find Acceptance

28:08
Understanding and Accommodating Neurodiversity

30:22
The Dangers of Autistic Burnout

35:50
The Strengths and Perspectives of Autistic Individuals

40:28
Working with Neurodivergent Teams

51:05
Late Diagnosis and the Importance of Sharing Experiences

In this episode of NeuroSpicy at Work, Duena Blomstrom and Prof Dr. Amanda Kirby discuss the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals in the workplace. They highlight the lack of support and accessibility for neurodiverse employees and the stigma surrounding neurodiversity. They emphasize the importance of shared communication and empathy in creating an inclusive work environment. They also discuss the role of social media in spreading information about neurodiversity, while cautioning about the need to critically evaluate the validity of the information. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the value of finding a tribe and the collective burnout experienced by neurodiverse individuals in leadership positions.

Keywords

neurodiversity, workplace, support, accessibility, stigma, communication, empathy, social media, information, tribe, burnout

Takeaways

• Neurodiverse individuals face challenges in the workplace due to a lack of support and accessibility.
• Shared communication and empathy are crucial in creating an inclusive work environment.
• Social media can be a valuable source of information about neurodiversity, but it is important to critically evaluate the validity of the information.
• Finding a tribe of like-minded individuals can provide support and understanding.
• Neurodiverse individuals in leadership positions may experience collective burnout.

In this conversation, Duena Blomstrom and Dan Harris discuss the topic of autism stigma and the importance of neurodiversity in the workplace. They explore the journey of self-disclosure and the challenges faced by individuals with autism in the business world. They also highlight the need for leaders to create a culture of psychological safety and inclusivity. The conversation touches on the role of privilege and the importance of addressing the needs of neurodivergent individuals in all types of organizations, not just large corporations. They emphasize the need for societal change and the creation of neuro-inclusive workplaces for the benefit of future generations. The conversation explores the slow progress in creating inclusive workplaces for neurodivergent individuals and the need for a human-centric approach. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and accommodating the needs of neurodivergent employees to create happier and more loyal teams. The discussion also touches on the role of public policy in supporting neurodivergent individuals, particularly in education and early intervention. The conversation concludes with a call to embrace self-awareness and focus on strengths rather than hiding or being embarrassed by challenges.

Takeaways

• Autism stigma exists in the workplace, and there is a need to promote autism pride and acceptance.
• Disclosure of neurodiverse identity in the workplace should be encouraged to normalize neurodiversity.
• Leadership plays a crucial role in creating a culture of psychological safety and inclusivity for neurodivergent individuals.
• There is a discrepancy between diversity theater in the corporate world and the actual support and understanding for neurodivergent individuals.
• The workplace needs to adapt and provide accommodations for neurodivergent individuals to thrive.
• Addressing the needs of neurodivergent individuals should extend beyond large corporations to include smaller organizations and different socioeconomic backgrounds.
• The younger generation is more open about their neurodivergent identities and demands accommodations in the workplace.
• Creating neuro-inclusive workplaces requires societal change and a shift in how we value and support individuals with neurodiverse identities. Progress in creating inclusive workplaces for neurodivergent individuals has been slow, and there is a need for a faster pace of change.
• Understanding and accommodating the needs of neurodivergent employees leads to happier and more loyal teams.
• Public policy plays a crucial role in supporting neurodivergent individuals, particularly in education and early intervention.
• Embracing self-awareness and focusing on strengths rather than hiding or being embarrassed by challenges can lead to personal and professional growth.

Titles

• Promoting Autism Pride: Overcoming Autism Stigma in the Workplace
• Adapting the Workplace: Providing Accommodations for Neurodivergent Individuals Embracing Self-Awareness and Focusing on Strengths
• The Role of Public Policy in Supporting Neurodivergent Individuals

Sound Bites

• "Why is there autism stigma instead of autism pride in the workplace?"
• "I'm an autistic ADHDer and proudly so."
• "Leaders who are fearful to disclose their neurodiverse identities hinder the creation of neuro-inclusive workplaces."
• "The world hasn't, in my opinion, moved at the speed that it would lead me to believe that in another two or three years that my boys that are now entering the world of work are gonna find it prepared."
• "I want the question to be, how do I get the best out of you as an employee?"
• "Good organisations are doing this already, right? The best managers you work for are those that know you inside out, that you're incredibly honest with."

Chapters

00:00
New Chapter

03:50
Personal Journey and Discovering Autism

07:55
Fear of Disclosure and Imposter Syndrome

11:15
Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety

14:37
Corporate Commitment to Neurodiversity

22:30
The Future Generation and the Fight Ahead

25:35
The Debt Owed to Neurodivergent Individuals in the Workplace

28:47
Moving from Awareness to Appreciation of Neurodiversity

30:38
The Need for Public Policy to Fill Gaps and Challenges

31:34
Early Intervention and Support for Neurodivergent Children

32:36
Recognizing and Supporting Autistic Families

33:29
The Importance of Provision and Understanding Individual Needs

34:33
Investing in Neurodivergent Children for Long-Term Success

35:26
Unlocking the Potential of Non-Speaking Autistic Individuals

38:10
Leading by Example: The Impact of World Leading Pro...