5 Ways to Create Neurodivergent-friendly Meetings
Dark green background that reads: “5 ways to create neurodivergent-friendly meetings”
Making your meetings Neurodivergent-friendly is crucial for fostering an inclusive and productive workplace while also recognizing and respecting the varied cognitive processes and sensory experiences of your Neurodivergent employees.
By adapting meeting structures and practices to be more accommodating, you not only empower Neurodivergent employees to participate more effectively, but you also enrich the quality of discussions by adding a fuller range of perspectives. This type of organizational inclusivity leads to a more collaborative atmosphere overall, where all voices feel heard and valued. Creating Neurodivergent-friendly meetings is relatively low-cost and low effort. It simply means adopting practices that give thought to diverse cognitive styles and sensory sensitivities. Here are 5 ways you can get started:
1. Provide a clear written agenda in advance: This allows participants to prepare mentally and manage anxiety as well expectations.
2. Develop a structured meeting format: Include items like designated speaking times, links to related documents, and any rules or reminders.
3. Offer written or recorded transcripts: Post-meeting, make a summary of the meeting available for those who benefit from revisiting information and instructions.
4. Be flexible with communication methods: Encourage written contributions as an alternative to speaking. Also remember to be flexible with required on camera presence.
5. Actively seek feedback from Neurodivergent participants: This allows for continuous improvement in the inclusivity of your meetings, demonstrating a commitment to a welcoming and productive environment for all.
Remember, adopting Neurodivergent-friendly practices in meetings can reduce anxiety and stress, which leads to improved well-being and job satisfaction for your Neurodivergent employees. Ultimately, however, embracing inclusive practices like this one not only benefits Neurodivergent individuals but also enhances the overall creativity, problem-solving ability, and productivity of the entire team, driving organizational success by creating equity.