Neurodiversity
According to Harvard:
"The word neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities."
"Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits."
As we know, neurodiversity focuses on how each of our brains work differently. This includes how we communicate effectively. Because a colleague or customer does not communicate the way you do, does not mean they should be excluded from communication or engagement.
Some examples of varying communication styles includes:
These can be interpreted as rudeness. This is not the case.
Be aware that the following may cause confusion for those with varying communication styles.
Be open to someone's need to clarification. These causal forms of communication and connection are not always picked up on by neurodiverse people.
It is best to:
If there are concerns or uncertainty, take time to meet one on one about how best to communicate. This is solid advice for neurotypical and neurodiverse brains.
*Due to the nature of Tourettes Syndrome, you may hear words and see actions that make you uncomfortable. Please remember, this is not controllable for the person with Tourettes. OCLS will continue to offer support and resources to all of our customers.
