As an NDIS provider it is important to us that we provide a flexible, inclusive work place for all of our team members, and that includes those who are neurodiverse. We had the pleasure of chatting to Ivan, one of our team members, about how he has navigated the workplace and ending up in a position that couldn’t be more perfect for him!
We also delved into his experience of being a father to two young neurodiverse kids, which turns out that even with his own experiences, nothing can truly prepare you for the challenges that come with raising neurodiverse children.
Speaking with Ivan, his thoughts and experiences paint a detailed picture of the challenges that neurodiverse people face in the workplace, which are not often talked about. It is not a sad story, though, and it shouldn't be for others. Yes, challenges arise on both sides, but by taking the time as employees and as colleagues to understand the different aspects a person might face, the benefits to the workplace are endless.
What has it been like for you navigating the workplace?
Navigating the workplace's emotions, social expectations, and dynamics can be challenging. I have had more than a few missteps when engaging with others and missing the mark. Having a supportive work environment makes a huge difference, as does taking responsibility for developing your emotional intelligence. What comes naturally to most people can be a huge challenge for others. My social "battery" is severely limited, and it can sometimes be exhausting to emulate that persona. It's not that it isn't you, but rather the version of you that you would like to be in those situations but can't emotionally maintain all the time.
Everyone with ADHD experiences it in different ways, from hyper fixation to constantly shifting topics when trying to get out of the mess of thoughts in their brain.
To simplify, for me here are just a few things I know I need to focus on each day:
• Social ability: I remind myself that others interpret my tone, words, and body language in ways I may not realise. So, I mirror them in some ways to ensure I can be seen as having commonality with those I engage with.
• Language - I need to remember that everyone has their way of seeing the world, and concepts like neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) can help create better connections with others and adapt your language to a relatable context for others.
• Low Battery: If I am socially exhausted, I will disconnect and withdraw from connecting with others. This is similar to when you are in the middle of something you are hyper-fixated on.
• Context—This one is difficult, especially when you have topics that you know a lot about and want to express your thoughts. I have to remember to slow down and provide context to the information, or I will confuse others and cause frustration for everyone (including myself).
What could you recommend that workplaces implement to better help their neurodivergent team members? No one is the same, but what have you found has helped you?
I think most workplaces have a lack of understanding around neurodivergence (granted, some don't care), but I think in most cases, they can't adapt when they are not provided with the tools to engage effectively with neurodivergent team members.
The main things from my experiences that businesses can do are:
• Throw away the book on body language and social queues. We can be very direct, sometimes appear like we are not listening but have heard everything you said, we shutdown for our and everyone else's benefit so we don't get emotionally overwhelmed. We can come across judgemental or possibly rude but rarely have negative intentions.
• Understand the working models that suit. I love a huge challenge that I can hyper-fixate on, but I also need downtime to recover. The worst thing for me is boredom; I will lose motivation if I am not constantly engaged in something challenging or new.
• Trust—I have always struggled with trust more from my perspective than anyone else's. I know I will work hard, be honest, etc., but anything that suggests my trust is being questioned breaks me apart. Integrity and trust are very strong values for me (they may be different for others) but micromanaging or monitoring my activities is really detrimental to someone like me.
• Stereotypical views are almost all wrong!
• ADHD can be internal; I can have multiple thoughts and pathways happening in my head at once, including the rest of the conversations I have with others.
Even though we can sometimes be sporadic, when our energy is directed constructively, we can be very fast learners and extremely loyal.
We have two kids with diagnosed ADHD, and I am relatively confident my other child is neurodivergent as well. This has taught me that the only way to know how it presents in each person is to spend time getting to know them and understanding how they like to do things. You may find they have skills and abilities that are hard to find.
If you could bust a misconception about neurodivergent people, what would it be?
The biggest one would have to be that neurodivergent people are stupid. Neurodivergent people, in most cases, have had a trade-off. Although one part of our personality or skills may be deficient, we usually have exceptional skills in other areas.
Did you know that Bill Gates, Ryan Gosling, Emma Watson, Tim Burton, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Steve Jobs, and even the very popular Simone Biles are all Neurodivergent (to name a few!)?
You are now in a role quite different from the one you first had when you started at Pathways to Care. We know you are an IT whiz, but on a deeper level, your love for systems and improving processes is shining in your current role as Systems Administrator. What has moving to this role done for your working life?
Pathways To Care allowed me to utilise my strengths and apply them to my work environment. Not only has this provided me with a role I love but it also allows me to be an integral part of the team that support so many people on the NDIS. I get to love what I do, be understood as a Neurodivergent person and help others.
Looking at where you are today, is there something you would like to tell your younger self on navigating the workplace?
Don't stay. After a while, I felt that every workplace would push me into a box. You have your role, and you have no place outside of it. But coming to Pathways to Care was the first time I had been accepted and supported when I spoke up. I still have issues three years later where the challenges of the past influence my perceptions and decisions. Still, I continue to work on breaking those habits and developing my skills for myself, Pathways to Care, and everyone who depends on our team to be there for them.
As a father with two young children who are also neurodivergent, what has it been like seeing them learn about the world around them while also learning about how they might see it differently from others?
Well, the fact that I have ADHD did not prepare me for what they were like as young kids. They still destroyed the house every chance they got. But as they are getting older, I can have conversations with them and discuss not just how I understand their challenges and frustrations but also how they can adapt to the expectations our society places on them.
They will have to work a little harder to fit in until they find their people. I don't mean others who are neurodivergent (although they may be) but others who see them for everything they are and everything they can be.
What advice would you give to other parents of neurodivergent children?
It sometimes hurts when your child is excluded from things, picked on because they find it hard to manage their emotions, or because they are so determined to please others that they do something silly or get others in trouble by telling teachers on even their friends.
Their skills, who they are and what they are capable of doing in the future is where you focus. They will find their place in the world as long as they have us there at their back and pushing when society needs to change, not them. They are just as valuable to the world as anyone else.
What strategies have worked for you as a family?
It's crazy in our house most of the time. The main thing is communication, expectations and sometimes putting in place consequences for doing the wrong thing. Punishment for kids now is taking away their phones; kids now think the world will end if you take away their phones and they lose their current snap streak.
Being neurodivergent?is too often focused upon as different rather than simply as a different ability. What would you say to this?
I have been given the opportunity to learn, be creative with problem-solving, and be trusted to make decisions that impact the whole business. Like all businesses, we have had setbacks, but our team supports each other. We accept that our differences are strengths, and we value every single person's input and perspective.
Not only can someone like me do things I never thought I could, but anyone neurodivergent or non-neurodivergent can develop skills and knowledge far beyond the limits of their role. Everyone needs the opportunity to prove themselves and the support to show what they are truly capable of.
Final Note:
I am proud of my achievements at Pathways to Care; I have goals, I have support, I have a career pathway, and I get real personal value out of what we do. My ability to learn and adapt to our needs is part neurodivergence and part environmental. It is important to understand that neurodivergent people are all different and bring different skills and capabilities to an organisation. The culture, understanding and support determine if they shine, dim or leave. I feel for all the people in places where their real value is not being celebrated.
If you are a workplace looking for resources on how to better support neurodivergent staff, visit the resources page of the
Neurodiversity Week website that has so many free downloads!
1300 467 284
info@pathwaystocare.com.au
