Episode: 811

Episode Title: Neurodiversity: Asset, Not Liability 

One in five adult Americans is neurodiverse, which means they learn differently. And that’s okay. Let’s talk about how to meet them where they’re at, next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 811 show:

Welcome back to a new week on The Perna Syndicate! I’m your host, Mark Perna. While it’s true that the “Great Resignation” has eased somewhat, I don’t totally buy that we’ve transitioned into what some are calling the “Great Stay.” Regardless, organizations of all kinds are still on the hunt for talented people. 

That’s why it’s time for these companies to acknowledge an elephant in the room: how common learning differences are in the American workforce. 

I was stunned to learn that 20% of adult Americans have some form of learning and attention issue. That’s some 65.6 million members of the workforce, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This means that it’s highly likely that one out of every five members of your organization is a neurodiverse individual. And they might be struggling if they’re treated like everyone else.

I have experience with neurodiversity as a dad to a son diagnosed at age 12 with ADHD, but I wanted to learn more about this growing dynamic. So I connected with David Flink, CEO and co-founder of Eye to Eye, a non-profit organization that works with neurodiverse kids and their schools all across the country.

We covered a lot of ground about how organizations can adapt to better serve people with learning differences. This week, I’ll be sharing the highlights of our conversation and one very important takeaway: that neurodiversity is an asset—not a liability. 

Thank you for tuning in today! Tomorrow we will look at different ways to demystify neurodiversity and create a better learning and work environment for everyone. See you next time on The Perna Syndicate!