Recruitment agencies that specialize in supporting neurodivergent job-seekers are gaining attention thanks to the benefits of employing individuals with conditions including dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism. These individuals process information differently, meaning they might excel in certain roles that others may not.
In the UK, for example, less than 30% of autistic people are in work, but recruitment companies such as Exceptional Individuals, Enna and Passwerk, as well as Divergent Talent, which represents neurodivergent actors, writers and creatives, are setting out to change this. Exceptional Individuals has worked with companies including HSBC, Aviva and Kantar to help them become more neuro-inclusive. “First, we make sure employers are set up to take on neurodivergent people,” said Exceptional Individuals’ founder Matt Boyd. After consulting with employers and ensuring they have the proper processes in place, the agency can then recruit suitable professionals.
Boyd is eager to move away from generalisations when it comes to neurodiversity, acknowledging that everyone is different and being neurodivergent isn’t a superpower. “A person might be a genius and have autism, but they’re not a genius because they have autism. They’re unique human beings with different experiences. That means the job opportunities they get depend on the individual.”
One success story from Exceptional Individuals comes from family practitioner Lydia, who has dyslexia and dyscalculia. She struggled with working during the pandemic and found that previous needs assessments did not take into account her conditions. However, after working with Exceptional Individuals, she was equipped with software and one-to-one coaching, and said she felt empowered to explain what she needed to thrive at work
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