8 October 2024
Written by neurodivergent speech and language therapists, the guidance focuses on how all SLTs can be allies and support neurodivergent SLTs in the workforce, with the aim of promoting inclusion and belonging, improving workforce retention and recognising the strengths and lived experience of the neurodivergent workforce.
We’re pleased to announce the publication of our new online guidance on neurodivergence in the workplace. The guidance supports SLTs, SLT students, apprentices and SLT assistants. It offers whole workforce support to foster allyship, create inclusive workplaces and to help tackle unconscious bias. It does not provide clinical guidance to be used during therapy.
Informal research carried out by the Neurodivergent SLT network (NDSLTUK) (Simpson, 2023) suggests that up to 88% of neurodivergent SLTs have considered leaving their job or profession due to challenges getting the adjustments and support them in their roles. The guidance aims to address the underlying issues head on.
For neurodivergent SLTs or SLTs who may be exploring their own understanding of themselves and the way they work, the guidance provides useful tools such as a guided reflection and strengths and needs assessments, which can help SLTs determine what support or adjustments they could find helpful in their roles.
For neurotypical colleagues who want to make sure they are creating and supporting a neurodivergent friendly workplace, the guidance focuses on increasing understanding and awareness of the differences, intersectionality and of any potential unconscious bias and how to address it. In addition to example adjustments that they could make themselves or be asked to make for their colleagues, information about strengths and challenges that their colleagues experience in areas such as executive function and attentional control will help increase their understanding of the differences.
Exploring strengths and needs as well as practical advice around reasonable adjustments, the guidance aims to help give the SLT workforce the information and tools needed so that both neurodivergent and neurotypical people can thrive in the workplace. This guidance is not a ‘required list’, but intended as a tool to use as part of honest conversations about support and adjustments.
The guidance has been co-created with members of the neurodivergent SLT network (NDSLTUK), lead authors Jodee Simpson and Polly Davis and supported by the RCSLT. See the guidance for a full list of contributors.
NDSLTUK have a ND Allies newsletter that you can sign up to, to hear about their upcoming include events, resources and future opportunities within the network if you’d like to know more about their work.
The RCSLT would like to thank the authors, contributors and the members of the NDSLTUK peer support network for creation and peer review of this guidance.
