Neurodiversity Celebration Week (21-27 March) aims to bring about worldwide neurodiversity acceptance, equality and inclusion in schools and workplaces. We are supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week at Lewisham Homes by helping our staff understand what means to be neurodivergent and how to support colleagues who might be neurodiverse.
Throughout this week we will host a staff webinar, share an interview with a resident who has dyslexia and publish articles on our intranet from staff who care for neurodivergent family members.
What does it mean to be neurodiverse?
A person who is neurodivergent might be living with one or more of the following:
- Autism – a condition that affects communication, social interaction and behaviour
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – affects ability to control attention and concentration
- dyslexia – difficulties in reading or interpreting words, letters and other symbols
- dyspraxia – affects physical coordination
- dyscalculia – difficulties in understanding numbers
- dysgraphia – difficulties with writing (but not reading)
- Tic disorders such as Tourette’s syndrome – which is when you make sounds or movements that you can’t control
There are many misconceptions around these conditions and it doesn’t help that they often exist on a spectrum and can vary in their effects on different people.
Much has changed in recent years to help us gain a better understanding and some of the stereotypes are being dispelled. Autism for example is no longer perceived as a problem which affects boys and men who tend to be good at maths and winning money at card games!
Why celebrate neurodiversity?
People who are neurodiverse face challenges in addition to the normal trials and tribulations of life. As part of our equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) commitment, we want to accommodate additional needs of colleagues, acknowledging that it takes all kinds of minds to make the world. Workplaces which allow for diversity also benefit from more ideas and a broader range of talents and skills among employees. This not only increases the potential for greater productivity, being accepted in the workplace makes it a happier place too.
Find out more by visiting www.neurodiversityweek.com/.
