1 in 5 New Zealanders are neurodivergent.
They have brains wired to think, learn, feel, and perceive the world differently from neurotypical people. This difference in thinking and processing makes them an asset to businesses, when those businesses are equipped to effectively support and manage them.
According to the Australian Institute of Directors, “well managed and well supported neurodiverse teams have the potential to outperform neurotypical workforces.” In fact, businesses have reported improved productivity of up to 130% by catering for the needs of neurodiverse staff. That’s why companies including Microsoft, Ford, and SAP are investing in programmes that support and tap into the different capabilities of neurodivergent team members.
We all bring different strengths to the table and forward-looking organisations are actively embracing the unique skills and out of the box thinking that people with highly developed visual and analytical skills can provide to their business. Gartner's Top Strategic Predictions for 2024 and Beyond states that by 2027, 25% of Fortune 500 companies will actively recruit neurodivergent talent across conditions such as autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dyslexia to improve business performance.
But New Zealand leaders are not yet equipped to support neurodivergent people.
Neurodivergent employees may require specific accommodations or “productivity enhancers” to perform at their best and providing these ensures everyone has the same opportunity to succeed. For example, some employees may need quiet spaces to work, while others may need clear and direct communication to understand what’s required of them.
To help your business support different ways of thinking, and gain the competitive advantage it brings, UniMed has partnered with a team of psychologists to provide tailored neurodiversity training and consultancy services. This includes the ability to have your workplace certified as neurodiverse friendly.
Take the first step towards getting your business certified as neurodiverse friendly.
The range of services include:
- Certification as a neurodiverse friendly workplace
- Workplace audit and recommendations
- Training for leaders and managers on leading diverse teams
- Workplace training on understanding neurodiversity and inclusive ways of working
- Support in creating neurodiverse friendly policies and procedures
- Support in adapting physical workspaces for inclusivity
- Individual psychological supports, coaching, assessment and intervention
Whether you are after an introductory session or a full certification, talk to us about how we can help your business to plug into the benefits of neurodiverse thinking.
Register Now
Fill out the form below to register your interest in making your business more neurodiverse friendly. Someone from our team will contact you with more details.