Celebrating different minds
What would you say are the benefits of thinking differently? You might say it brings new ideas to the table, helps to rethink inefficient processes, and identifies patterns other people might miss. This week (March 21st - 27th) marks Neurodiversity Celebration Week, an event that celebrates neurodivergent strengths at all stages in life, from school to the workplace.
This week, we're challenging misconceptions around neurological differences and offering you ideas for how your school or organization can support all students and employees to reach their full potential. We've gathered some resources here to get you started.
Neurodiversity describes natural variations in the human brain that influence how we think, behave and process information. Most people are neurotypical, but around 1 in 7 of us is neurodivergent. Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and Autism are among the most common neurodivergent conditions. Each brings its own unique challenges — and strengths.
"We're delighted to add our voice to the amazing community of schools and organizations that are championing neurodiversity inclusion. Whether it's in education, the workplace or beyond, we at Texthelp believe that all kinds of minds should be supported to fulfil their potential."
Cathy Donnelly, Chief People Officer, Texthelp
Neurodiversity in Education
How can teaching better reflect the diversity of thinking and learning styles? Create a more inclusive learning environment with help from these resources.
Join a community of learners
To help you address the diverse learning needs of your students, check out our Inclusive Ed Bootcamp. Featuring talks from Made By Dyslexia, the British Dyslexia Association and more, this series has over 3 hours of webinar content aimed at helping you spot and address barriers to learning.
Optimize your teaching
We all learn in different ways. Which means that a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching will not be as effective as one which is student-led and personalized to each student's individual needs. But how can we achieve personalized learning without stretching teachers to their limit? In this blog, learn how a Universal Design for Learning framework provides an efficient guide for engaging and motivating different kinds of learners. Learn more here.
Hear from the experts
Take a listen to this episode of the Texthelp Talks podcast to hear assistive technology specialists share their thoughts about EdTech and the role it plays in inclusive learning design.
Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Diversity of thinking brings many benefits to the workplace, including innovation and better efficiency.
Get the guide
For practical advice on growing a neurodiverse workforce, discover our neurodiversity guide. This useful handbook is designed to help HR Managers, Disability Champions and CEOs understand the positive impact neurodiversity has in the workplace. You’ll learn about supporting different neurodiverse conditions, and the inclusive strategies that businesses worldwide are using to drive productivity, innovation and staff morale.
How neurodiversity-confident are you?
In a recent survey we conducted, only 28% of HR professionals were ‘very confident’ in identifying types of neurodivergence. Almost one in 10 (9%) were not confident at all. Test your neurodiversity knowledge with our resource bank.
Hear from other perspectives
What is it like to be dyslexic in the world of work? On the Texthelp Talks podcast, we were joined by two professionals from the Police & Fire departments who shared their experiences of being dyslexic in the workplace. Hear Andy and Sam’s story.
"Thankfully, more businesses are stepping up to provide the necessary support for neurodivergent employees. Combining employee awareness with practical company processes will make sure staff from all backgrounds are supported by their employer."
Martin McKay, CEO and Founder of Texthelp
See how change is made
We teamed up with specialist psychology consultancy Lexxic to document the common challenges faced by neurodivergent employees. Learn about the mindful adjustments your company can make to remove barriers in the workplace. Watch the video series here.
Think differently about different thinkers
In this guest blog from Terkel, 12 business leaders give their verdict on the biggest strengths that come from thinking differently. Read here to find out what they are!
Keep up with the celebrations this week with the hashtag #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek. You can tag us at @texthelp or @TexthelpWork to share how you’re getting involved!