Neurodiversity is going to make you rich

My name is Alice Walker, and I'm autistic. In fact, I'm autistic as fuck.

So much so, that when my results came through, the neuropsychologist was like, “uh, Steve, come look at this one.”

I was only diagnosed last year. It took 29¾ years on this planet for me – or anyone else – to realise I was autistic. Women, people of colour and queer folks are chronically under-diagnosed with autism. Turns out the diagnostic exemplar is (drum roll, please) white men. Shocking, I know.

My name is Alice Walker, and I'm autistic. In fact, I'm autistic as fuck.

Having also just been diagnosed as bipolar (yeah, I’m really fun at parties), I’ve spent my life at the sharp end of what it means to navigate a workplace — and a world — that was not built for you.

I’m on a mission to make my workplace, adam&eveDDB, the most neurodiversity-friendly ad agency in America. Then I want to take it to the world. A blueprint any workplace can follow to embrace what neurodiversity can offer them.

Above: People who are neurodivergent often have to navigate a workplace – and world – not created for them.

Please note, when I use the term ‘neurodiversity’, throughout this, I’m referring to intersectional neurodiversity: neurodiversity of all kinds, and of all people. And, like the cold-blooded capitalist I am, I’m here to tell you that promoting intersectional neurodiversity isn’t just a nice thing to do, it’s a profit-driving advantage.

What I’m telling you is that we’re all going to be rich. But first of all, let me tell you why.

Missing the point

Up until now, we've made 'accommodations' for neurodiversity out of obligation, and that's probably because an employee had the guts to go and ask. They probably even thanked you for it.

It's refreshing to see that neurodiversity is, more and more, being perceived as an advantage.

Yes, it's refreshing to see that neurodiversity is, more and more, being perceived as an advantage, as cozy, even, but it's been seen in very narrow terms. Dyslexics are seen as free-thinkers, but scatty. Autistics are valued for their supposedly robotic ability to complete tasks. One Harvard Business Review article (admittedly from 2017) encourages the reader to overlook neurodiverse people’s “challenging eccentricities”. Try telling my exes that.

Neurodiversity in the workplace is becoming like so much else that was once hopeful; a set of empty words. But promoting neurodiversity isn't just a means of virtue signalling, or fulfilling a hiring quota. Many are missing the point, because promoting neurodiversity, like all measures to enhance DEI, can directly influence your bottom line.

Above: Neurodiversity can be seen in very narrow terms, with autistic people often valued for their supposedly robotic abilities.

The unexpected edge

I work in an advertising agency. Somebody has to. And, over the years, I've realised that there's a reason why ads are fun, with their bright colours and funny jokes. It's not just to give ad execs like me something to do all day, it's because it works. There's a reason why you remember the ads you remember, and why you buy the things you buy.

We know that creativity has value because more creative, distinctive and fame-driving campaigns mysteriously seem to sell more shit.

Creativity — that nebulous thing, so hard to itemise on a P&L — is of paramount value for creative and non-creative industries alike. In advertising, we know that creativity has value because more creative, distinctive and fame-driving campaigns mysteriously seem to sell more shit.

There's a reason why those nice people at Accenture and Deloitte have been buying up creative agencies like it's going out of style. It's because creativity makes money. But how do you make creativity?

One answer lies in promoting neurodiversity. Turtleneck enthusiast and iPhone inventor Steve Jobs described creativity as “connecting things”, and it's the ability to form connections between seemingly disparate entities that's at the heart of creativity, innovation and problem-solving.

Above: Apple's Steve Jobs described creativity as “connecting things”.

At this point, it's important to note that neurodiversity isn't just a label. If you were to hook me up to some electrodes (kinky), you'd find that my brain, like that of my neurodivergent chums, is wired differently. In fact, it's hyper-connected. When we are kids, the brain is constantly forming connections and, for neurotypicals, the brain eventually decides to cut some of those connections, in a process charmingly known as “synaptic pruning”.

Autistic brains process more information than neurotypical brains; 42% more at a resting state... and you wonder why I'm tired.

But, for my autistic homies and me, that didn't happen. Those connections — no matter how whacky — have stuck around. And we're constantly making more of them.

Autistic brains process more information than neurotypical brains; 42% more at a resting state... and you wonder why I'm tired. So, the same thing that renders the subway a waking nightmare becomes rather useful when it comes to creativity. And I'm talking about creativity in its broadest sense, not just writing sonnets or playing the bassoon.

The kind of creativity which solves seemingly impossible problems, transforms markets and sparks revolutionary inventions. The kind of creativity that makes money.

Above: Autistic brains process more information than neurotypical brains. 

In short, neurodivergent folks find it easier to form unexpected connections, which makes them naturally more creative, which directly impacts the effectiveness of not only advertising, but businesses as a whole. We're a fucking goldmine!

But this kind of thinking — this sell-it-by-the-gram thinking that invents groundbreaking products and paradigm-shifting business models — doesn't necessarily happen in front of a computer, amidst a hellscape of noise, and doesn't necessarily happen between the hours of 9am and 6pm.

Neurodivergent folks find it easier to form unexpected connections, which makes them naturally more creative.

So, how do you make it happen?

Weird works...

I made a speech in front of my agency recently. There was pizza, and I made some bad jokes, but I also made some promises. And this is what I said:

Your weirdness is honoured. We acknowledge and respect your differences and struggles; we realise how they can affect you. We see you, and we want to help.

Your weirdness is valued. We appreciate the unique styles and perspectives you bring to the table, and we want to give you the environment you need to thrive.

Your weirdness is valuable. It’s going to make the agency thrive. When we’re allowed to be our weird selves, the work is better. More creative, distinctive, and fame-driving work means more money for our clients, more money for the agency.

Your weirdness is going to make you thrive. Because we’re here to make good ads and good money. But we also spend a large portion of our lives here, at work. And it’s important that we’re — well, happy is pushing it — but at least not sad.

Above: Creating an environment in which weirdness can thrive start with listening.

But how to create an environment where weirdness can thrive?

I’m starting with listening. And you should too. Ask your employees what they need to do their best work. Listen to them. And then trust them.

It could be something simple. Maybe it's being able to work from home when they need to. Without judgment or passive-aggressive emails. Maybe it's a quiet space to go when things get overwhelming. I can’t be the only one who’s sought refuge in a stationery cupboard. And I’m not talking about that time at the Holiday party.

Take a hard look at your company’s ethos. Does it encourage different ways of thinking and communicating, or does it prize conformity and ‘cultural fit?’

But don't stop there. Take a hard look at your company’s ethos. Does it encourage different ways of thinking and communicating, or does it prize conformity and ‘cultural fit?’ Help your employees to educate themselves. Host training sessions. I told someone I was autistic the other day and they said, “but you’re so well-coordinated.” We have a long way to go.

I don’t have all the answers yet. No one does. But, like I said, I'm going to listen, and I'm going to ask questions. And I'm asking you to join me. And whatever I find out, I'm going to share it with you.