Neurodiversity

• ADA & Accessibility Services

  • Virginia Tech’s ADA and Accessibility Services provide guidance and resources to ensure the university is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and supports employees and students in accessing necessary accommodations. This office assists with workplace adjustments, accessibility planning, and ensuring equitable participation in university programs and services. If you are an employee seeking accommodations, your first step should always be to consult with your HR manager, who can help initiate the process.

• Assistive Technology Software

  • ATS provides no-cost access to software designed to improve accessibility for disabled and neurodiverse employees and students. Scroll down to “Stand-alone software” to find tools (like Equatio and Read+Write) that can help those with dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia and processing disorders effectively access and interact with digital content. 

• Faculty and Staff Disability Caucus

  • The Virginia Tech Disability Alliance is a campus-wide coalition dedicated to building an inclusive and welcoming environment for individuals with disabilities. The Alliance works to foster community, advocate for accessibility, and promote understanding of disability as an essential part of diversity. It provides a platform for students, faculty, and staff to share experiences, support one another, and collaborate on initiatives that advance disability inclusion across the university.

Visit the guide homepage for an overview of Neurodiversity-related vocabulary.

Below are some general resources on neurodiversity at work that may help both neurodivergent employees and supervisors to create a positive and collaborative neurodiverse workplace:

• An Employer’s Guide to Autism & Neurodiversity, Different Brains, September 4, 2018
• Neurodiversity at Work, uptimize
• Understanding Neurodiversity A Guide to Specific Learning Differences, Department of Education, United Kingdom
• How To Understand If Your Job Isn’t Right For You As A Neurodivergent Person
• Neurodiversity Employment Network provides a list of career connectors

Thanks to Eastern Carolina University, which suggested many of these links in their Library Guide.

The slide decks below are designed to support managers, supervisors, and leaders in better understanding, adjusting for, and advocating on behalf of neurodivergent employees. These articles cover a range of practical topics from effective one-on-one conversations and examples of reasonable adjustments, to adapting management and communication styles. Together, they provide actionable strategies that help create inclusive environments where neurodivergent employees can thrive.

• Supporting and managing neurodiverse employees workshop slides

  • From Enna Global’s workshop on Supporting and Managing Neurodivergent Employees. This workshop equips managers of all levels with the knowledge and awareness of neurodiversity, the different conditions and how they can start to support neurodivergent employees and a neurodiverse team.

• 1-to-1 best practices guide for managers 

  • This guide outlines best practices for managers when holding one-to-one meetings with employees. It emphasizes strategies for supporting neurodiverse staff through effective communication, active listening, and creating safe spaces for feedback.

• Probation guide for managers

  • Provides guidance for managers on navigating employee probation periods with fairness and inclusivity. It highlights approaches for supporting neurodiverse employees, ensuring performance expectations are clear, and offering accommodations when needed.

• Reasonable adjustment examples for managers

  • Offers concrete examples of workplace accommodations that managers can make to support neurodiverse employees. Adjustments may include flexible work arrangements, modified communication styles, or sensory-friendly changes to the environment.

• Workplace sensory profile tool for neurodivergent employees and managers

  • Explains how sensory differences (e.g., sensitivity to light, noise, or movement) impact neurodiverse individuals in the workplace. It includes tools for understanding sensory preferences and offers guidance on how managers can create supportive environments and neurodivergent employees can seek appropriate accommodations.

• Working styles guide for managers and teams

  • A guide exploring different working styles and how they intersect with neurodiversity. It helps managers and teams understand diverse approaches to problem-solving, focus, collaboration, and productivity, promoting inclusive teamwork.