In the previous post, we discussed the importance of self-reflection about how one's neurotype interacts with one's professional life. Today, we focus on how these self-reflections can inform accommodations.
Therapy can be a transformative space where self-reflection meets actionable strategies, leading to effective accommodations and greater accountability at the individual and organisational levels. It offers tools to better understand how to prevent burnout and make informed decisions about work, including adjusting roles or environments. Once individuals reflect on their needs and challenges, they can start advocating for accommodations, actively reshaping their work environments to better match their neurotype. The goal isn’t to force a square peg into a round hole but to ensure the work environment supports, rather than stifles, one’s neurodivergence.
Here are a few examples of how self-reflection through therapy can inform accommodations:
For Sensory Overload: Through reflection, a client may realise that they are overstimulated by the hustle and bustle of an open office environment. After understanding this in therapy, they may request access to a private workspace, reduced exposure to high-traffic areas, or the option to work remotely several days a week.
For Executive Functioning: An ADHDer who struggles with multitasking may reflect on their need for more explicit workflows. As a result, they may request accommodations that include structured tasks, deadline extensions, or additional support with AI tools that help them focus on one task at a time.
For Social Interaction: Therapy can help autistic individuals realise that constant social demands drain them. They can request fewer meetings, asynchronous communication options, or the ability to participate in projects that don’t require constant social interaction.
Accommodations are not a one-off implementation, nor are they about lowering standards or offering special treatment. They are about ensuring that individuals can perform at their highest level, using their strengths to their advantage while minimising unnecessary barriers.
While therapy is instrumental in guiding neurodivergent individuals toward better self-understanding and adequate accommodations, accountability must follow. This is a shared and ongoing responsibility between the individual and their employer, reliant on continuous dialogue.
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