Neurodiversity Drives Success When Workplaces Adapt, Says APM Study

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• Neurodiversity Drives Success When Workplaces Adapt, Says APM Study

03 October 2025

Analysis from the Association for Project Management suggests that neurodivergent staff could help businesses become more successful if workplaces were more inclusive.

The report "Promoting Neurodiversity" identified that people with neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD, dyslexia, and autism spectrum disorder, could bring unique insights and talents to many organisations if they were better supported to do so through physical work environments.

The findings indicate that neurodivergent individuals can excel in areas such as creativity and sustained focus. However, workplace barriers can impede performance without appropriate support and burnout prevention.

Around 15-20 per cent of people across the UK are neurodivergent – between 10 million and 13.5 million people.

The paper, which focuses specifically on the project management sector, recommends a “flexible and controlled work environment” that accommodates sensory and cognitive needs, including personalised adjustments, clearer communication and the use of assistive technologies.

One of the key physical workplace adjustments recommended in the study is to consider the risk of sensory overload in a busy office environment, which can lead to heightened stress, diminished confidence and lower productivity. 

The report authors recommend establishing quiet zones, designated spaces that allow neurodivergent individuals to decompress and focus, free from sensory distractions. Workplaces and meeting areas should also be structured and predictable to reduce anxiety.

In terms of technology to help workflows, the study identified tools such as Grammarly and text-to-speech software as being highly beneficial for some neurodivergent individuals. However, some workplace policies, such as bans on AI or large language models, can restrict the use of assistive technologies.

The full research can be found here.

Picture: a photograph of a person standing in a modern workspace, in front of their desk, smiling at the camera with their arms folded. Image Credit: Unsplash

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 03 October 2025

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