Neurodiversity Toolkit

Neurodiversity Toolkit

Imagine having to handwrite all your work with your non-dominant hand. You cannot use shorthand or any other shortcuts or technology. Or imagine having to read everything reversed as in mirror-writing, but without the mirror. You are the only person in the team who has to work like this.

What about wearing shoes and gloves all day that are a couple of sizes too big? How about reciting the alphabet backwards as other people are talking to you and distracting you?

This Toolkit gives a brief overview of the main neurodiverse conditions, what language to use, some of the barriers people face, and suggestions of adjustments many neurodiverse people find useful.

If you would like to know more about our choice of terminology for this toolkit, please see our page on Neurodiversity and language.

Members and Partners enjoy exclusive access to the full range of Knowledge Hub resources plus additional membership benefits.

Overview

The Toolkit is divided into four main sections:

• Fundamentals of neurodiversity – What neurodiversity is, how to talk about it, and assessments for neurodiverse conditions.
• Guidance for people managers – What organisation-wide barriers people with neurodiverse conditions can face and how to address them, including workplace adjustments.
• Welcoming neurodiverse customers, clients and service users – How organisations can identify and remove barriers for customers and service users with neurodiverse conditions.
• Further information – Podcasts, case studies, legal cases and links to further information around neurodiversity.

You can view a complete contents list here or browse them below.

We have unlocked the following resources for non-Members to give an introduction to the topic:

• What is neurodiversity?

Acknowledgements

Our sincere thanks to all those who contributed their time, expertise and content to help us create this toolkit.

Toolkit resources

Introduction

Member and Partner only

Resource

Neurodiversity and business: Foreword by Diane Lightfoot

Diane Lightfoot, Business Disability Forum CEO, discusses why businesses need to be disability smart about…

Member and Partner only

Resource

Why neurodiversity is good for business

Neurodiversity and neuro-inclusion are can attract more customers and make your workforce more productive.

Open to all

Resource

Neurodiversity and language

The language we use to talk about neurodiversity in this Toolkit – and why.

Fundamentals of neurodiversity

Open to all

Resource

What is neurodiversity?

An introduction to some key terms and basic tools to understand neurodiversity.

Member and Partner only

Resource

Assessments for neurodiverse conditions

It can be difficult to get a formal diagnosis of many neurodiverse conditions. This usually…

Open to all

Resource

Factsheet – ADHD

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition that affects a person’s concentration and activity…

Open to all

Resource

ADHD medication shortage – FAQs

There is an ongoing shortage of all ADHD medications worldwide since late 2022.

Member and Partner only

Resource

Factsheet – Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects how a person behaves,…

Member and Partner only

Resource

Factsheet – Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a condition that affects a person’s ability to read and write. It can…

Member and Partner only

Resource

Factsheet – Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia affects the parts of the brain that deal with numbers and reasoning.

Member and Partner only

Resource

Factsheet – Dyspraxia

People with dyspraxia can find it harder to perform tasks that require dexterity, physical co-ordination…

Open to all

Resource

Factsheet – Cluttering

A person with cluttered speech may talk rapidly and in a way that sounds disorganised…

Guidance for people managers

Member and Partner only

Resource

Neuroinclusive recruitment

This resource sets out steps to avoid discrimination throughout the recruitment process.

Member and Partner only

Resource

Neurodiversity and workplace policies and practices

An overview of barriers in policies and practices, and adjustments to allow neurodivergent employees access…

Member and Partner only

Resource

Neurodiversity and performance management

An essential part of your role is managing the performance and development of all your…

Member and Partner only

Resource

Having sensitive conversations with neurodiverse employees

How to talk to a neurodivergent employee about how they work and whether they need…

Member and Partner only

Resource

Sensory sensitivity and the working environment

The importance of a working environment is often overlooked, but it can affect many things,…

Member and Partner only

Resource

Routine and structure

Neurodivergent employees often rely on routine and structure to manage their work.

Member and Partner only

Resource

Workplace adjustments for neurodiverse employees

How to remove barriers for neurodivergent employees using adjustments.

Welcoming neurodiverse customers, clients and service users

Member and Partner only

Resource

Making adjustments for neurodiverse customers, clients and service users

How to remove barriers for neurodivergent customers before they arrive.

Member and Partner only

Resource

Communicating with neurodiverse customers, clients and service users

Good communication is a key factor for the success of any business, but it’s easy…

Member and Partner only

Resource

Training customer-facing staff – Neurodiversity

How to make sure your customer-facing staff know how to welcome neurodivergent customers.

Further information

Member and Partner only

Resource

Neurodiversity at work – Legal cases

How have the courts addressed neurodiversity and disability discrimination?

Member and Partner only

Resource

Podcast – Positive and proactive recruitment with Bela Gor and Catherine Casserley

Catherine Casserley specialises in discrimination and equality, employment and human rights law.

Member and Partner only

Resource

Q&A with BBC CAPE

We asked Sean Gilroy and Leena Haque – co-founders of BBC’s CAPE programme – some…

Sponsor statement – Microlink

At Microlink, we see every day how much talent is lost when workplaces are not designed with neurodiversity in mind. Sponsoring the Neurodiversity Toolkit with Business Disability Forum reflects our commitment to moving the conversation beyond awareness and into action. Businesses don’t just need intent; they need practical guidance that helps them create environments where neurodivergent people can thrive.

Focusing on neurodiversity is not a trend or a ‘nice to have’. It is a strategic priority for organisations that want to attract, retain, and develop diverse talent. When businesses build confidence in how they recruit, support, and adjust for neurodivergent colleagues, everyone benefits, from improved innovation to stronger performance and retention. We’re proud to support a resource that helps organisations turn inclusion into everyday practice.

Dr Nasser Siabi – CEO Microlink