How to understand, support neurodiverse staff

THE headspace Bendigo Work and Study team in partnership with Be.Bendigo will hold a free, interactive workshop exploring how businesses can better understand and support neurodiverse staff next month.

Neurodiversity refers to the natural variations in how people think, process, and experience the world – including conditions such as autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, dyslexia and more.

During the 120-minute session attendees will hear from Alex Caines, a vocational peer worker from headspace Bendigo, as well as occupational therapist Megan King.

Ms King, who has worked in public health for over 20 years, said the workshop will cover how businesses can introduce inclusion and diversity policies from the get-go, or make amendments to their current organisational structures and processes.

“Then (we’ll) talk about defining and understanding what neurodiversity is, look at some statistics and then the benefits of employing people that are neurodiverse,” she said.

“The message that we’re sending is that we want people to start thinking about these things.

“It’s about asking what can they do differently? What might be beneficial? What are some sensory changes they can make that are easy/low cost?

“Most of us don’t think about our sensory preferences – it’s not something that we naturally know about or think about – but any adjustments that they’re going to make will benefit everybody in the workplace, not just people who are neurodiverse.”

Supporting Neurodiverse Employees in the workplace takes place at MacKenzie Quarters on Wednesday 10 September from 3pm to 5pm.

Bookings can be made on the Humanitix website.