🚨 Calling All Recruiters! Can You Bridge the Gap for Neurodivergent Talent? 🚨
Ryan McKee
Innovative Leader in Experiential Design & Digital Marketing | Expert in Revenue Growth & Brand Engagement | Passionate About Inclusive Experiences
Why This Matters
This post is a heartfelt appeal on behalf of millions of neurodivergent individuals who, despite possessing immense skills and talent, face significant challenges in securing meaningful employment. We deliver outstanding results but are often overlooked in hiring processes because we don't fit the conventional mold.
Can You Help with This Problem?
The Challenge
💡 Did You Know? Traditional hiring practices often fail to accommodate the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals. For example, 85% of people on the autism spectrum are unemployed, compared to 4.2% of the general population (Deloitte Insights). Biases and misunderstandings about our capabilities lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment (Cambridge Core).
Example
Consider this: An office interview might be effective for assessing a neurotypical job candidate, but it could be the worst environment for showcasing the talents of a neurodivergent person. When we request accommodations, we often risk losing the job opportunity. After more than 75 applications and numerous interviews, I've realized I need to lead with, "I am on the spectrum." Delaying this disclosure only reveals the true nature of most job opportunities after I've invested significant time and energy. Conventional wisdom would tell me not to do this, but sometimes you have to face reality. Lie and be miserable or be honest and struggle.
One Possible Solution
We need recruiters who understand our unique challenges and are willing to advocate for us. Neurodivergent individuals bring incredible value to the workplace, including enhanced problem-solving skills, meticulous attention to detail, and innovative thinking (MyPlus Consulting). Companies like SAP have experienced increased innovation and employee engagement by implementing neurodiversity programs (MIT Sloan Management Review).
Here’s How You Can Help
Why It Matters Again
Embracing neurodiversity not only taps into a largely untapped talent pool but also fosters a more inclusive and innovative workplace. Studies show that teams with neurodivergent professionals can be up to 30% more productive (Deloitte Insights).
Join the Conversation
Have you worked with neurodivergent individuals or hired them? What was your experience? How can we improve the hiring process? Please comment below and share your thoughts!
Together, we can transform the hiring landscape to be more inclusive and equitable. Let's make meaningful employment accessible to everyone.
Please comment, share, and connect. Your involvement can make a real difference.
Personal Narrative
I am in a tough spot because the strategies that worked for me in my 20s and 30s to secure a job or start a business are no longer effective. As a neurodivergent individual, I've burned many bridges. And I've learned that I'm not alone in this experience; it's called unmasking.
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Why Unmasking Is Critical for Autistic People
Letting go of neurotypical norms may be critical for autistic mental health. Autistic adults often spend their lives fighting to hide their autistic traits. The act of working to cover up all your autistic traits is called masking. Research has linked masking to poor mental health and increased suicidality in autistic people. Autistic adults' suicide rates are three times higher than that of the general population, and autistic women have almost double the suicide rates of autistic men (South, Costa, and McMorris, 2021). Some research has shown that the average lifespan of an autistic adult is 58, largely due to suicide rates.
Many autistic people struggle their entire lives, and some don’t survive. Despite this, we rarely discuss treatment modalities for autistic adults, nor do we look at the long-term quality of life outcomes for childhood treatments like applied behavioral analysis (ABA). Popular treatments for autism in childhood focus on integrating children into neurotypical society and making neurotypical adults happier.
But what about autistic adults? We know that autistic adults are significantly disadvantaged regarding social relationships, physical and mental health, and overall quality of life (Howlin and Moss, 2012). The biggest part of changing this is unmasking. Masking contributes to anxiety, meltdowns, burnouts, self-loathing, and depression in autistic adults. There is a direct correlation between masking and poor mental health outcomes for autistic people.
Personal Experience with Masking
I was diagnosed with autism very late in life. I spent most of my life watching others and trying to mimic behaviors I thought would appear most normal to them. This worked to an extent—I had friends who liked the masked version of me. But the mental health toll was unfathomable. I was constantly anxious, depressed, and overwhelmed. When I finally began unmasking, it became apparent how little people cared about the real me. They liked the mask, not me.
Unmasking can be miraculous—once you figure out who you really are and live an authentic life, everything becomes better. Most of my autistic clients have been masking for so long they don’t even remember who they are anymore. They only know it is their job to figure out what others want and do it to avoid rejection.
My Story
At work, I was bullied and harassed to the point of a mental breakdown. Asking for accommodations like white noise machines, private office space, and adjusting the volume and temperature were seen as annoying and needy. Sometimes I was even called derogatory names. In fact, at my last job at A&R Creative Group, a coworker put up a sign in our office that said, "F*** McKee," and it was accepted by everyone else.
This is the level of harassment and discrimination that has been normalized in my experience over eight years working for this employer. Part of my disability is that I can't read people's social cues or norms. I have little to no control over the tone of my voice. I have auditory processing issues. Sometimes what's loud to you seems quiet to me and vice versa. Same with my voice and my words. The problem is that I can't tell. So it comes off like I don't care, I'm not listening, or I'm being disrespectful.
There was a time when networking and building connections were my strengths. I was elected to student government in college, worked in creative marketing and sales, and even thrived in the entertainment industry. But now, it feels as though that ship has sailed. Often, autistic adults are not diagnosed until they face a mental health crisis. By then, it can feel like it's too late. The help we receive cautions against returning to our old behaviors that made it possible for us to get by in the professional world.
Part of seeking help is reaching out. I have literally talked to over 100 people on the spectrum. There is one common theme: struggle. Not struggling like a normal person, but struggling on top of normal struggle. This issue needs more attention. I couldn't believe it, in fact, I didn't believe it until it became my reality.
Take it from me. You don't realize you're disabled sometimes until you need help specific to your disability, and the help offered is very much not for you.
I am very thankful for the help I have received so far. But the next step beyond creating a community is creating a business that serves that community. If this sounds like you, please reach out to me. I would love to hear your story.
Unnmasking References:
#Neurodiversity #InclusiveHiring #Recruitment #DiversityAndInclusion #NeurodivergentTalent