Neurodiversity at work
Business Daily
BBC
4.4 • 816 Ratings
🗓️ 12 August 2021
⏱️ 17 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Neurodiversity is a broad term inclusive of a number of very different things including, but not limited to, autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia. And until relatively recently, it's not something that many workplaces have paid much attention to. But rethinking those spaces and the way neurodiverse staff can be best accommodated, can reap benefits for both the companies involved and their employees. Stand-up comedian Don Biswas, explains how his different way of thinking has shaped his comedy routine, we also hear about the trials and tribulations faced by successful author Elle McNicoll. PR executive, Yemi Gbadebo describes the impact of getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult, and Professor Amanda Kirby explains why females in general are less readily diagnosed with all forms of neurodiversity. Plus, Paul Graham, Britvic's managing director for the GB region, tells us how his neurodiverse family has inspired his approach to the workplace and Professor Robert Austin from Ivey Business School in Ontario, Canada, describes how the understanding of cognitive differences is gradually improving.
(Picture of a group of young people via Getty Images).
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello and welcome to Business Daily with me, Elizabeth Hotson. |
| 0:05.5 | And today we're looking at neurodiversity in the workplace. |
| 0:09.2 | Sometimes I can use my neurodiversity and just say comedy clubs usually booked me |
| 0:13.5 | just so that they can consolidate all their diversity requirements into one affordable comedian. |
| 0:18.5 | Many people with neurodiversity, be it ADHD, Asperger's, dyspraxia or dyslexia, |
| 0:25.1 | are diagnosed when they're at school. But what happens when you get a diagnosis as an adult? |
| 0:30.5 | It was complete relief. I remember telling to a friend and saying, okay, so I'm not crazy. I'm not |
| 0:36.2 | making this all up. This isn't all in my head. Now I know the situation. I can now start looking at the tools to work with it. |
| 0:42.6 | The awareness of neurodiversity is increasing. So how are workplaces responding? This is Business Daily from the BBC World Service. |
| 0:55.0 | Hello, my name is Don Bissas. |
| 0:56.5 | I'm a stand-up comedian, have been for 14 years. |
| 0:59.6 | I talk about having various neurodiversities. |
| 1:02.5 | I have mild asperger's. |
| 1:04.7 | I like to call myself not Rain Man, |
| 1:06.8 | because I have mild and more drizzle boy. |
| 1:08.9 | I have dysprax as well, |
| 1:10.5 | which affects my coordination and organisation skills, as well as having ADHD. |
| 1:15.1 | Don, as he's explained, referencing the famous film Rain Man about a character on the autistic spectrum, |
| 1:21.8 | lives with a variety of conditions, which are grouped under the term neurodiverse. |
| 1:27.0 | According to the UK government, around one in seven people have neurodivergent brains. |
| 1:32.3 | It's an umbrella term, but for Don at least, it's a feeling that his brain works quite differently to other people's, |
| 1:38.8 | and neurodiversity is a big part of his identity. |
... |
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