Being Neurodivergent in a Neurotypical World

Neurodiversity is the idea that cognitive conditions, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia, are natural variations in the way people think and process information.

Neurotypical is used to describe people who are not neurodivergent. Given the biological fact that there is no such thing as a ‘normal’ brain, neurotypical is best thought of as ‘not neurodivergent’. It’s important not to draw simple lines in the sand between ‘neurotypicals’ and neurodivergent people.

Neurodivergent people have one or more neurological condition e.g. ADHD, dyslexia, autism or others. The conditions share common features, in particular, differences in how people learn and process information.

 

Dr Bethany Fox, Water Catchment Scientist and ACE UK Lead, shares her story of being diagnosed as neurodiverse:

" I was a late walker, but an early talker. I was quick to learn, if it didn’t involve coordination (tying shoelaces, handwriting, catching a ball). As I grew up, I became more conscious of this, working with my strengths and avoiding my weaknesses where possible.

 

When I was at university, I spoke to a friend about their reasonable adjustments, such as why they were allowed extra time during exams. Suddenly, I had a light bulb moment – is that not normal? Is that not how everyone sees the world?

Everyone sees the world through their own lens, so it is difficult to know how your normal fits into the world, society and the workplace, and what adaptations and/or strategies you have already developed. We often go through life not sharing our lived experiences and it isn’t until someone shares what their lens on life looks like that, that we might realise ours is different.

I began searching for the answer to these questions... which led me to a dyspraxia diagnosis at the age of 19.

Dyspraxia, or Development Coordination Disorder (DCD), affects the brain’s ability to plan and organise sequences of movement. This impacts coordination, movement, balance and organisation, as well as perception, language and thought. How the impact is felt in those with the condition varies but it is thought that around 10% of the population have dyspraxia.

The main challenge that I experience as a result of my dyspraxia relates to poor spatial awareness and coordination, which is generally associated with clumsiness. I also find it difficult to navigate new places and layouts, which I have noticed more since the move to hot-desking. However, my dyspraxia also gives me many strengths. I have developed many strategies and mechanisms to help me thrive in a neurotypical environment. One of the key strategies I use to organise my thoughts and time at work is using my calendar to block out time, allowing me to focus on tasks. I am also a prolific note taker and will write down as much as I can in meetings, using tick boxes to identify actions within the notes (a tip passed onto me by another neurodivergent colleague). These small habits and others I have developed over time help me to problem-solve and think strategically, as well as being able to bring a different perspective.

After learning about dyspraxia, I understood myself more than ever. Why I am who I am. Why I see the world in a certain way. Why I work how I work. I continue to learn how my dyspraxia affects me, shapes me and impacts the way I see the world around me. Since starting at Jacobs and becoming a member of the ACE leadership team, I feel empowered to embrace neurodiversity and to use our strengths to do something a bit different. It’s not always easy being neurodivergent is a neurotypical world, but it’s rarely boring!”

Access Connect Empower:
ACE promotes Jacobs as being accessible to everyone. We connect and empower those with disabilities or other physical or cognitive adaptive challenges, their families and friends, and those who provide care to others.