At will&able, we’ve seen first-hand the incredible value that neurodiverse and differently abled team members bring to the workplace. When given the right support, they thrive - gaining confidence, skills and a sense of purpose.

One of our supervisors shared a moment that reinforced just how important an inclusive environment can be:

"When I first started working with people with disabilities, many were hesitant to share their challenges. They had spent years hiding parts of themselves. I remember one man who always kept his hand curled up, avoiding any mention of his condition. The day he realised he didn’t have to hide at work - when I told him, ‘You don’t have to hide here’ - his smile said everything. That moment reinforced a crucial lesson: creating a safe and accepting environment transforms lives. Over the years, I’ve seen people grow in confidence, make lifelong friends, get married, own houses and gain skills they never thought possible".

10 key learnings from working with a neurodiverse team

1. Don’t mince words - be direct. Clear and simple communication works best.

2. Be straight up. Honesty builds trust and respect.

3. Have humour. A shared laugh goes a long way in making work enjoyable.

4. You can’t treat everyone the same. Adapt your approach to each person’s strengths and needs.

5. Observe - understand people as individuals. Small changes in behaviour can signal when someone needs extra support.

6. Expect something of your team - teach, upskill. When given the chance, people will rise to the occasion.

7. Use different teaching methods. Visual aids, hands-on tasks and verbal instructions - everyone learns differently.

8. Give context, not just instructions.

9. Help people understand the bigger picture. Knowing how their work contributes to the business gives a sense of purpose.

10. Create structure but allow flexibility. Some thrive on routine; others need variety. Finding balance is key.

The power of purpose

We’ve seen young people arrive on their first day, shy and uncertain, and years later, they’re running entire operations. Team members who once struggled to communicate are now confidently training others.

The biggest lesson? Everyone has potential when given the right support.

Businesses have the power to break down barriers. Hiring neurodiverse and differently abled team members isn’t just the right thing to do - it makes workplaces stronger, more innovative and more inclusive.

This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we encourage businesses to rethink how they approach inclusion. Are you creating opportunities, or unintentionally setting limits? The right workplace environment doesn’t just change lives - it changes entire communities.