#United States #New York #AI tools #Neurodiversity #Understood.org

Understanding Neurodiversity at Work: Insights from Understood.org

Understood.org, a prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the 70 million Americans with learning and thinking differences like ADHD and dyslexia, recently unveiled the results of its annual "Neurodiversity at Work" survey. Conducted by The Harris Poll, this study responds to an urgent need for awareness and accommodation in today’s workplace environment.

Key Findings from the Survey

In this year's survey, three out of five U.S. adults (61%) believe that AI has the potential to equalize opportunities for individuals who learn and think differently. Although nearly one in three adults identifies as neurodivergent, the survey reveals that workplaces are lagging in creating inclusive environments for these individuals.

AI's Role in Empowering Neurodivergent Employees
The findings underscore a crucial element—the role of artificial intelligence in fostering an inclusive workplace. Nathan Friedman, co-president and chief marketing officer at Understood.org, emphasized that despite the promising potential of AI, stigma surrounding neurodiversity remains a significant barrier.

1. Increased AI Utilization: Approximately 78% of neurodivergent employees reported using AI tools in their workplaces, compared to 59% of neurotypical employees. This illustrates a growing acceptance and reliance on technology that assists in various work tasks.
2. Boosted Confidence: Over half of the neurodivergent respondents (56%) indicated that the availability of AI tools has increased their confidence when applying for higher-level positions that they would have previously avoided due to administrative complexities.
3. Encouragement to Disclose: Nearly 57% expressed a willingness to disclose their neurodivergence if their employers provided specialized AI tools as part of their standard accommodations. This highlights the potential for technology to create an environment where neurodivergent individuals feel safe and supported in sharing their experiences.

Stigma and its Consequences

Despite these positive indicators, significant stigma continues to hinder progress. While a majority of employed adults (69%) believe that their managers have a basic understanding of neurodiversity, there’s a pressing concern among neurodivergent individuals:

• - About 70% worry that revealing their neurodivergence might negatively affect their career prospects, a notable increase from previous years.
• - There's also a consensus (85%) that employers need to enhance their education regarding workplace accommodations to better support neurodivergent employees.

Unique Challenges Faced by Neurodivergent Women

The survey sheds light on the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent women, indicating higher levels of pressure to conform to neurotypical behaviors and a heightened fear of job loss. For instance:

• - Three in four neurodivergent women feel compelled to mask their true selves, compared to 69% of neurodivergent men.
• - 68% of them expressed reluctance to leave their jobs due to fears that they might not find supportive environments elsewhere.
• - Moreover, 22% of neurodivergent women who requested accommodations reported being denied, starkly contrasting with the 7% of neurotypical women who faced similar issues.

The Call for Neuroinclusive Practices

As the workforce evolves and the visibility of neurodivergent individuals increases, organizations hold a greater responsibility to bridge existing gaps in understanding and support. Understood.org promotes proactive measures such as:

• - Minds at Work, a podcast that features business leaders discussing the importance of neurodiversity.
• - The Neurodiversity Guide to Effective Work, co-authored with Google Workspace, serves as a resource for companies aiming to create inclusive practices.
• - They also offer partnership initiatives to assist organizations in developing neuroinclusive workplace strategies.

Conclusion

The insights from the "Neurodiversity at Work" survey underline the importance of adopting neuroinclusive practices in today’s workplaces. Employers who prioritize the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals will not only attract top talent but also foster resilient workplaces conducive to all employees' success. For more resources, visit understood.org/workplace.

Survey Methodology: This research was conducted online within the U.S. by The Harris Poll for Understood.org from March 19–23, 2026, with participation from 2,073 U.S. adults aged 18 and older, including 614 identifying as neurodivergent. The data has a sampling precision within +/-2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.