WPI researchers endorse neurodiversity in the workplace

On the WPI campus.

This is from The New England Council

‘‘Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has published a new report describing the unique advantages that employees with autism, dyslexia or ADHD can bring to high tech firms. Hiring these neurodiverse employees can help companies by providing broader perspectives and new ways to solve problems.

The report notes that while workers with neurodiverse conditions may face unique challenges throughout their day, they may contribute particularly great concentration skills, visual abilities, and other advantageous skills. While many companies have initiatives to promote gender, sexual orientation and religious diversity, neurodiversity is not explicitly endorsed. Neurodiverse workers are a growing portion of the workforce, with 1 in 59 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and 6.1 million children between 2 and 17 years old having been diagnosed with ADHD.

Eleanor Loiacono, director of the IDEA Hub at WPI, commented, “I see so many talented young people being defined and limited by what others say they can’t do, when in fact they have so much to offer – wonderful abilities that make them a valuable asset to businesses and society as a whole.”