Embracing Every Mind

Joanne Lockwood

Tags: Inclusion, Workplace, Culture, Neurodiversity, Autism, LGBTQIA+, empathy, ADHD, neurodivergent, double rainbow, neurotypical

Unpacking Neurodiversity, Autism, and ADHD in Modern Workplaces

Charlie Hart unveils their personal and professional journey in championing neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ inclusion, offering profound insights on accommodating diverse minds, and fostering an equitable, embracing, and truly inclusive workplace.

In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood and Charlie Hart bring you an engaging and enlightening discussion on embracing neurodiversity. They explore the unique challenges and advantages of being neurodivergent in today's society and workforce. Charlie, a prominent advocate for neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ inclusion, shares their experiences and insights on the significance of understanding and adapting to different neurological profiles at work. Joanne and Charlie uncover the mechanisms behind late diagnoses, asynchronous learning, and how the modern work environment can be more inclusive of different neurological experiences.

Charlie Hart, also known as Awesome Charlie, is a celebrated neurodivergent keynote speaker with a powerful dedication to creating a better world for neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ youth. Drawing inspiration from their own children and the Gen Z community, Charlie transitioned from a career in HR to become a full-time advocate and researcher on neurodiversity inclusion. Their journey through discovering their own ADHD, autism, and complex PTSD has shaped their unique insights into societal and workplace inclusion, making them a valued voice in the field.

Throughout the episode, Joanne and Charlie delve into personal anecdotes and professional experiences highlighting the critical aspects of creating an inclusive environment for everyone. They challenge societal constructs and bring attention to the importance of recognising individual strengths and support needs. The conversation also touches on the intersectionality of neurodivergence with other identities, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community, underscoring how these overlapping challenges can impact daily life and career progression.

One key takeaway from this episode is the emphasis on rethinking traditional workplace norms to accommodate neurodiverse employees effectively. Listeners will gain a profound understanding of the importance of creating flexible, supportive work environments that enable all individuals to thrive. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge of neurodiversity and enhance their approach to inclusivity in both personal and professional realms.

Published: 20.03.2025

Recorded: 23.01.2025 Episode Length

Duration: 1:02:41

Shownotes:

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Clips and Quotes

Discovering Neurodiversity: “So in 2018, I went through the autism diagnosis, and I discovered the neurodiversity community online.”
— Charlie Hart [00:03:34 → 00:03:43]

Embracing Neurodiversity: “The difference is when you’re neurodivergent, it can mean that the things you’re good at, you’re particularly good at, and the things you that you struggle with, you’re you particularly struggle with.”
— Charlie Hart [00:14:35 → 00:14:45]

The Overlapping Spectrum of Neurodiversity: “You can’t draw a neat line around the autistic part of my brain and the ADHD part.”
— Charlie Hart [00:17:19 → 00:17:25]

The Complexity of Diagnosing Autism and ADHD: “When you look at it like that, I I don’t know many people that I would say were just just autistic or just ADHD.”
— Charlie Hart [00:18:10 → 00:18:17]

Deaf Community Advocates Against Politically Correct Language: “It was the deaf community that said bollocks to that. We’re deaf.”
— Charlie Hart [00:21:33 → 00:21:37]

Neurodiversity in IT Workplaces: “If you want the people with those skills, then you’re gonna have to not have neuro normative expectations on how they get through the recruitment process, what support they need in the role, what their interpersonal skills are like, and that kind of thing.”
— Charlie Hart [00:33:32 → 00:33:48]

“Modern Remote Work Challenges”: “And I said to her, I can’t work like this. It’s so overwhelming. And I started to send a a lot of text messages on Teams, and she was saying to me, I can’t work like this. It’s hurting my shoulders and my wrist.”
— Charlie Hart [00:37:06 → 00:37:19]

The Future of Work: “They are the workforce of the future. And if they’ve got preferred ways of working, preferred hours or flexibility or media, all of these things, they’re used to expressing that preference and not being told, no, you’ve got to work in this place from 9 till 5, Monday to Friday, and do as you told.”
— Charlie Hart [00:41:11 → 00:41:30]

Neurodiversity and Psychological Safety at Work: “If you’re having issues because your kids are at home and they’re anxious and you’re trying to do a job at home school at the same time and there’s a global pandemic, that you’re not just putting on a brave face and only showing a professional veneer, but you can actually say what you’re up against and know that it’s not gonna be used against you.”
— Charlie Hart [00:46:42 → 00:47:03]

Neurodiversity in the Workplace: “Even if you think you don’t have any autistic employees, and every company will, but every workforce is neurodiverse because it is made up of human individuals who think, fail, and process in different ways.”
— Charlie Hart [00:47:40 → 00:47:53]

Definition of Terms Used

Neurodivergent

Definition: Neurodivergent refers to individuals whose neurological development and functioning are different from what is considered typical or neurotypical. This term includes a range of conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more.
Relevance: Understanding neurodiversity is crucial in creating inclusive environments that accommodate various ways of thinking and experiencing the world. It emphasises the value of cognitive differences.
Examples: Autistic individuals may have heightened focus on specific interests, while those with ADHD might excel in creative problem-solving.
Related Terms: Neurotypical, Neurodiversity, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Common Misconceptions: Many believe that neurodivergent individuals are less capable or are disorders that need curing. In reality, neurodivergence encompasses a wide range of strengths and capabilities.

Monotropism

Definition: Monotropism is the tendency to focus on one interest at a time, often to the exclusion of other stimuli. This is commonly observed in autistic individuals.
Relevance: Recognising monotropism can help in understanding the intense focus and passion autistic individuals may have in specific areas, which can be a significant strength in specialised roles.
Examples: An autistic person intensely focusing on a hobby or task, often achieving a high level of expertise or comprehensive detail.
Related Terms: Hyperfocus, Special Interests, Flow State, Attention Tunnels
Common Misconceptions: Some see monotropism as being obsessive or inflexible, but it can actually be a powerful cognitive tool for deep learning and expertise.

Neurotypical

Definition: Neurotypical refers to individuals whose neurological development and functioning align with what is considered the societal norm or typical.
Relevance: The term helps differentiate between those who may require different support structures and those who are typically well-supported by existing societal frameworks.
Examples: Most educational and workplace settings are designed with neurotypical individuals in mind, often overlooking the needs of neurodivergent people.
Related Terms: Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Common Misconceptions: Being neurotypical does not necessarily mean being superior; it simply reflects the most common neurological pattern in a given population.

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

Definition: Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is an extreme emotional sensitivity and pain triggered by the perception of rejection or criticism, often associated with ADHD.
Relevance: Recognising RSD is important for understanding the emotional challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in social and professional environments.
Examples: An individual with RSD might overreact to perceived slights or criticism, experiencing intense emotional turmoil.
Related Terms: Emotional Dysregulation, ADHD, Social Anxiety, Neurodiversity
Common Misconceptions: RSD is often mistaken for mood disorders or general emotional instability, but it is a specific response linked to actual or perceived rejection.

Double Rainbow

Definition: The term “Double Rainbow” refers to the intersection of being both neurodivergent and part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Relevance: Understanding the “double rainbow” helps in addressing the unique challenges and strengths that arise from holding multiple marginalised identities.
Examples: A person who is both autistic and transgender may face distinct social and workplace challenges that need comprehensive inclusivity strategies.
Related Terms: Intersectionality, Neurodiversity, LGBTQIA+, Dual Minorities
Common Misconceptions: Some may think that neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ issues are entirely separate, but in reality, these can intersect, compounding experiences of marginalisation and resilience.