We’re All Neurodiverse — But Not All Neurodivergent
Just for the record, we are all neurodiverse.
We all think, feel, and process the world differently - but not all of us are neurodivergent.
When You Don’t Know What You Need
One thing I hear time and time again is:“You need to tell us exactly what it is that you need.”But sometimes, a person simply doesn’t know what they need. All they know is that they can’t do it the way they’re expected to.And so the cycle continues — managers don’t know what to offer, and the individual doesn’t know what to ask for.
Awareness Isn’t Enough
Many businesses genuinely want to do the right thing, but don’t know how to execute it.Awareness of mental health and neurodiversity is a great start — but awareness alone changes nothing. It needs to be backed by strategy and action.
Take dyslexia, for example:
One employee might know exactly what helps — perhaps using text-to-speech tools.
Another, with the same diagnosis, might not be able to explain what they struggle with — only that writing takes them much longer.
The key is to recognise when help might be needed, even if the person doesn’t ask.
Spotting the Signs
As a manager or colleague, you might notice patterns. You keep having to chase someone for the same type of task, or their work often has small errors like punctuation mistakes.
It’s easy to assume they’re being careless — but sometimes, these are signs of an underlying challenge.
We all have tasks we dislike, but for someone who is dyslexic, autistic, or has ADHD, the barrier isn’t just motivation it’s neurological.
Inside the Neurodivergent Mind
A neurodivergent brain often works differently from a neurotypical one.
Neurodivergent thinkers can be brilliant problem-solvers often seeing multiple perspectives and creative solutions. But this same ability can also lead to overthinking and paralysis.
The result? Procrastination, self-doubt, and missed deadlines, until the pressure of a deadline finally sparks a burst of productivity.
That’s often how an ADHD brain works best: fuelled by urgency and interest.
These are often your most resourceful, adaptable, crisis-ready people the ones who shine under pressure, yet can frustrate managers who don’t understand how their brain works.
Empathy and Extremes
Neurodivergent people can fall anywhere on the empathy spectrum. Some are deeply attuned to others’ emotions, while others may struggle to read social cues. Neither is wrong, both are part of human diversity.
The key is to build relationships that recognise those differences without judgement.
ADHD and Autism: The Overlap
ADHD and autism frequently co-occur estimates suggest between 30% and 80% of people with one also meet criteria for the other.
They share many characteristics, such as:
Sensory differences
Executive dysfunction
Hyperfocus and intense interests
Rejection sensitivity
Sleep issues and emotional dysregulation
Social or communication challenges
Differences in interoception (awareness of internal body signals)
There are differences, too:
ADHD brains often crave novelty and can act impulsively.
Autistic brains often seek routine and predictability.
People who have both (sometimes called AuDHD) can feel as though their traits are in conflict wanting structure, yet also needing stimulation.
Support and Treatment
1. Medication
For ADHD, medication can help increase focus and reduce distractibility. Some autistic people may be more sensitive to medication, so it’s always important to discuss options with a doctor.
2. Talking Therapy and Coaching
Therapies such as CBT, person-centred counselling, or ADHD coaching can help build structure and coping strategies that work with not against the person’s brain.
3. Exercise
Research suggests regular physical activity can improve executive functioning. For adults, movement still brings mental and physical benefits find something you enjoy and can sustain.
4. Mindfulness and Meditation
Some studies show mindfulness can help with attention and impulsivity but it’s not for everyone. For some, it can initially increase anxiety, so approach gently and with support.
Food, Focus and Self-Compassion
The topic of food and ADHD can be controversial. While Joe Wicks drew criticism for linking ADHD to diet, there’s increasing evidence that nutrition impacts mental and physical health more than we once thought.
Neurodivergent people often prefer familiar, repetitive foods — the “beige diet.” It’s not laziness; it’s about comfort, predictability, and sensory sensitivity.
And yes, the food industry does market heavily addictive products — high in sugar, caffeine, and refined carbohydrates that can affect mood and focus.
Once you know that, it’s easier to be kinder to yourself, recognising that some of these challenges are biological and environmental, not personal weakness.
With the right support, knowledge, and patience, things can be done differently.
