Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Prevention of Harassment &

Discrimination

Minnesota Department of Public Safety

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS

Together Towards Tomorrow; Making Space for Courageous Conversations

Conference on Crime and Victimization

May 13-15, 2015

Grant Watkins, Speaker, Author, Neurodivergent

www.grant.watkins.com

OVERVIEW• Terms & Definitions

• Identifying Workplace Cultural and Attitudinal Bias

• Discrimination & Harassment at Work: Secondary Trauma

• Breakout Group Scenarios: Case Study

What is Neurodiversity: Basic Terms & Definitions• NEURODIVERSITY• NEURODIVERGENT, or ND (and NEURODIVERGENCE)• NEUROTYPICAL, or NT

NEURODIVERSITY

Neurodiversity is the diversity of human brains and minds – the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within our species.

http://neurocosmopolitanism.com/neurodiversity-some-basic-terms-definitions/

NEURODIVERGENT, or ND (and NEURODIVERGENCE)

Neurodivergent, sometimes abbreviated as ND, means having a brain that functions in ways that diverge significantly from the dominant societal standards of “normal.”

The terms neurodivergent and neurodivergence were coined by Kassiane Sibley, a multiply neurodivergent neurodiversity activist.

http://neurocosmopolitanism.com/neurodiversity-some-basic-terms-definitions/

NEUROTYPICAL, or NT

Neurotypical, often abbreviated as NT, means having a style of neurocognitive functioning that falls within the dominant societal standards of “normal.”

http://neurocosmopolitanism.com/neurodiversity-some-basic-terms-definitions/

Hidden Disabilities vs Neurodivergence

Hidden Disabilities Neurodivergence

Visual ADD/ADHD

Hearing Asperger Syndrome

Mobility Dyscalculia

Mental Illness Dyslexia

Chronic Dizziness Dyspraxia

ADD/ADHD

A group of behavioral symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Attention deficit disorder (ADD is a sub-type of ADHD. Common symptoms of ADHD include: a short attention span, restlessness or constant fidgeting, being easily distracted.

NHS Choices

ASPERGER SYNDROME

A form of autism, which is a lifelong disability that affects how a person makes sense of the world, processes information and relates to other people. Asperger syndrome is mostly a “hidden disability”. This means that you can’t tell that someone has the condition from their outward appearance. People with the condition have difficulties in three main areas: social communication, social interaction and social imagination.

The National Autistic Society

DYSCALCULIA

A CONDITION THAT AFFECTS THE ABILITY TO ACQIRE ARITHMETICAL SKILLS. Dyscalculic learners may have difficulty understanding simple number concepts, lack an intuitive gasp of numbers, and have problems learning number facts and procedures.

Department of Education and Science

DYSLEXIA

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty and most commonly characterized by difficulties with the acquisition of reading, spelling and writing skills. Dyslexic people often have auditory processing difficulties, poor organizational skills, poor physical co-ordination and directional confusion. The majority of dyslexic people have poor short-term memory that causes an inability to retain sequences of numbers and words, and instructions to carry out simple tasks.

Dyslexia Scotland

DYSLEXIA VIDEO and EMPATHY EXERCISE

DYSLEXIA EMPATHY EXERCISE

PREVALENCE OF NEURODIVERSE CONDITIONS

• Dyslexia – between 2 and 15%• Dyspraxia – between 4 and 6%• Dyscalculia – between 1 and 7%• ADD/ADHD 0.3%• Asperger syndrome – 0.7%

Neurodiversity in the Transport and Travel Industry (Center for Research on Work and Wellbeing, Heriot-Watt University)

LEARNING DISABILITES AND BEHAVIOR

• Children with a learning disabilities make up 50% of adolescents under court supervision. • 60%of adolescents in treatment for substance abuse. • By adolescence, 50% of children with LD have definable psychiatric

disorders.• 62% are unemployed within one year after graduation from high

school.

Dickman, G. E. (1996) The Link Between Learning Disabilities

Identifying and Interrupting Workplace Cultural and Attitudinal

BiasBias: A subconscious influence that impacts judgment.

Common Bias Neurodivergent BiasRace ADD/ADHDGender Asperger SyndromeReligious Dyscalculia Sexual Orientation Dyslexia Physical Disability Dyspraxia

Sexual Assault: Trauma and Recovery

• Sexual Assault; the added burden of being neurodivergent

• Impact Statement

Grant’s Story of WorkplaceDiscrimination & Harassment

Similarities Between Sexual Assault and Feeling Discriminated & Harassed In the Work Place

• Vulnerability• Barriers to self-healing• Emotions• Negative reactions of others • Tools for recovery

Universal Themes to The Healing Process

The Courage to Heal Workbook ( Laura Davis )

Deciding to heal

Remembering the abuse

Believing it happened

Knowing it wasn’t your fault

Getting in touch with anger and grief

Talking about the abuse

Moving on

Breakout Group Scenarios

R.E.A.P.

• Resiliency • Empathy• Advocacy• Peace

THANK YOU Grant Watkins

grant@grantwatkins.com