What is Autism Month?  In the last few years, Autism Awareness Month (1st – 30th April), has been renamed by many as Autism Acceptance Month. While the Autism Society of America popularised this rebranding in 2021, the name for this important event has undergone further change from some organisations and individuals to simply “Autism Month”. This shift recognises a change in narrative about autism, moving away from placing focus or value on being 'aware' of or ‘accepting’ autism, and placing a wider focus on understanding autism, working towards fostering neuro-inclusion in workplaces and ..read more

The technology industry is one of the largest in the world, with the global IT market growing to an estimated worth of $8.8 billion in 2023, and expected to reach $11.9 billion by 2027. At a more granular level, the UK tech sector alone has established phenomenal value in recent years with a current estimated worth of almost 1 trillion dollars, placing it only behind the markets in the US and China.   However, this thriving industry is not without its pitfalls, specifically finding and retaining talent to drive innovation and meet the fast-paced nature of technological advancements ..read more

In line with EU legal requirements, Britvic, the owner of Robinsons Fruit Shoot products, will begin to roll out 'tethered sports style' bottles in 2024. In making this change, the business recognised that the development will have more impact on some consumers than others, and partnered with the National Autistic Society to communicate about the upcoming packaging change. In so many ways this is an example of neuro-inclusion done right, as they have recognised and addressed that change can have a significant impact on some of their neurodivergent consumers. Some neurodivergent individuals ma ..read more

International Women’s Day 2024, celebrated each year on the 8th of March, is a day for championing the achievements of women, as well as acknowledging challenges surrounding women’s equality.  The theme this year is #InspireInclusion: “When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.” – internationalwomensday.com “Collectively, let’s forge a more inclusive world for women” - We often see inequality and lack of inclusion when it comes t ..read more

At Lexxic, we recognise the barriers faced by autistic individuals, highlighted by the Buckland Report, including unfair hiring practices, unclear processes and outdated attitudes.  These barriers can leave individuals feeling unsafe to tell their employer they are autistic, and unable to access support that would enable them to thrive at work.  We welcome the report’s focus on inclusion by design, to reduce the need for autistic and other neurodivergent individuals to request specific adjustments at work. This approach is consistent with Lexxic’s Neurodiversity Smart Assessment and ..read more

One of the lasting impacts of the pandemic has been the switch away from rigid office working to hybrid and remote working for many businesses. For many individuals, and in particular individuals with ADHD, there can be a whole host of benefits to this more remote and flexible way of working. This includes the added control individuals can have over their working environment, and the ability to work in ways that suit them, thus maximising on strengths and skills at work. We’ve put together a few top tips to help individuals with ADHD flourish in remote and flexible working environments! Choo ..read more

This is a question we often get asked at Lexxic, for example, when delivering neurodiversity webinars or in our one-to-one services.  Sometimes individuals have asked me: What is the benefit? Is it worth the wait? Is it worth the effort and the scrutiny you get put under? What happens if I bare all and I don't get diagnosed and I have wasted time? Then what?  It’s important to remember that being diagnosed is a personal journey and can impact every individual differently. For example:    Some may not find it necessary and may not see the benefit in going through the pro ..read more

Many neurodivergent individuals frequently demonstrate unique skills and talents that surpass those of their neurotypical peers. Some notable examples include: Verbal and presentation skills Problem solving and non-linear thinking Creativity and innovation Empathy and listening skills Multitasking and hyperfocus Pattern recognition and attention to detail Many neurodivergent individuals often leverage these strengths and apply them in practical learning pathways, such as apprenticeships. Research shows that neurodivergent individuals often opt for apprenticeship programmes to s ..read more

When it comes to exploring the intersectionality between neurodiversity and gender, there are several factors we can examine that may play a role in diagnosing neurodifferences. Males are more likely to be diagnosed with neurodifferences than females, for example, the ratio is 4:1 for autism spectrum condition (ASC) and 3:1 for ADHD. However, research increasingly shows more equal distribution between the genders. So why might there be this disparity between diagnosis and prevalence? At least part of the reason that females get diagnosed later, or not at all, seems to be that their neurodiff ..read more

In today’s digital age, as many workplaces have shifted towards remote and virtual working, it is important to ensure that all team members are supported and able to thrive in this new environment. This includes neurodivergent individuals, who can bring many unique strengths and talents to organisations, such as having good problem-solving skills, strong verbal communication, being resilient and determined, thinking innovatively and being creative. It is important for organisations to build neuro-inclusive teams that can bring diverse perspectives, skills, and ideas to the table that can grea ..read more