Neurodiversity for Managers – download info here

Neurodiversity – in-house training for Managers

“Growing up with that kind of brain, I didn’t understand the value of it, 

but now I see it as a superpower. The reason that it’s valuable is

 because I see things in a different way.” 

Chrissy Levett, CEO, Creative Conscience

This course is designed to enable managers skillfully to support and celebrate the neurodiverse talent in their workplace. Managers will feel more confident to have inclusive conversations with neurodivergent colleagues, and will feel better equipped to create a workplace culture in which people who think differently can thrive. Managers who identify as neurodivergent will gain, and contribute to, an awareness of the value of their unique traits and qualities. 

Course aims (3 hour session with pre- and post- online study)

  • To increase awareness and appreciation of neurodiverse talent in the workplace 
  • To encourage managers to explore their own neurological traits and strengths 
  • To cultivate an understanding of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other conditions
  • To explore language, inclusion and neurodiversity – and consider the role of diagnosis
  • To create workplace cultures that embrace diversity of neurological strengths 
  • To clarify the business case for neurodiversity inclusion 
  • To acknowledge how neurodivergent inclusive practices benefit all employees
  • To give managers guidance on inclusive recruitment practices that benefit all applicants
  • To develop management skills and communication techniques that support neurodiversity
  • To give managers a toolkit of ‘reasonable adjustments’ that help create equitable working conditions for neurodivergent colleagues – and that meet the employer’s Equality Act 2010 responsibilities
  • To support all managers to feel confident and supported in their role

 

“You want that person who’s able to look at a problem and come at it 

from a completely different angle than what anyone else is coming at it from, 

who is able to see things that nobody else can see.” 

Rene Brooks, Founder of Black Girl, Lost Keys

Key References for Pre-Session Study

Key References for Post-Session Study

  • Krzeminska, A., Austin, R., Bruyère, S., & Hedley, D. (2019). The advantages and challenges of neurodiversity employment in organizations. Journal of Management & Organization, 25(4), 453-463. – https://doi:10.1017/jmo.2019.58 
  • Emmanuelle Walkowiak, Neurodiversity of the workforce and digital transformation: The case of inclusion of autistic workers at the workplace, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Volume 168, 2021, 120739, ISSN 0040-1625 – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120739.

 

Course facilitator – Arabella Tresilian MAHons PGDipEd

Arabella Tresilian was 37 when she was diagnosed with autism. “Congratulations!” said her clinical psychologist after the diagnostic tests were complete. “I’m delighted to tell you, you are autistic!”” 

For Arabella, this diagnosis was the beginning of discerning why her experience of the working environment had often come with added challenges, and also of learning the neuropsychological basis for certain valuable strengths, traits and talents she brings to her career and relationships. 

Arabella has been training professionals in mental health awareness and equalities since 2001, and is an accredited mediator and Mental Health First Aid instructor. She works with the Medical Mediation Foundation, Resolve West, Bath Mind, Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution and MHFA England. 

As an autism and mental health campaigner she has been featured by ITN News, Sky News, BBC Radio 4’s Inside Health, Financial Times, NHS England, The Kings Fund, BMJ Awards, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Elder Mediation World Summit, Psychologies Magazine, Good Housekeeping, The Sun

Feedback on Arabella’s training at Bath Spa University (March 2021): 

  • “Arabella was absolutely brilliant. I wish there was a ‘very, very, amazingly, brilliant’ option for the feedback dropdown box!”
  • “Arabella was lovely, supportive, compassionate and containing – she created a very safe space and made the course enjoyable and very interesting – thank you!”
  • “The quality of the coach and the material supplied was excellent. It was pitched just right with the correct amount of group exercises, presentations and reflection time.”
  • “The trainer Arabella was the most excellent! She modelled such amazing communication skills which I found totally inspiring.”