💼 Neurodivergence in the Workplace: What You Can Ask For

Accommodations aren't favors—they're your right.

Navigating the workplace as a neurodivergent adult—whether you’re autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, or living with anxiety, PTSD, or sensory sensitivities—can feel like walking through a world not built for your brain.

But here’s the truth: You don’t have to just cope.You can advocate. Ask. Adjust.And most importantly—you’re allowed to thrive.

Let’s break down what reasonable accommodations look like at work, how to request them, and why asking for support is a strength, not a weakness.

🧠 What Counts as Neurodivergence?

Neurodivergence is an umbrella term for brain differences that affect how a person thinks, learns, processes information, and interacts with the world. This includes (but isn’t limited to):

• Autism

• ADHD

• Dyslexia & other learning differences

• Anxiety & PTSD

• Tourette’s

• Sensory Processing Disorder

Neurodivergent workers bring creativity, focus, empathy, out-of-the-box thinking, and deep dedication—but often need support to function well in traditional work environments.

⚖️ Know Your Rights

In the U.S., the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects employees from discrimination and allows you to request reasonable accommodations—even without disclosing a specific diagnosis.

You’re not required to share your entire medical history. You just need to explain that you have a condition that substantially impacts a major life activity (like concentration, communication, or sensory regulation), and that you’re requesting accommodations to perform your job effectively.

🛠️ Common Accommodations for Neurodivergent Employees

Here are examples of reasonable workplace accommodations that many neurodivergent adults benefit from:

🌟 Sensory Supports

• Noise-canceling headphones or permission to wear earbuds

• Use of sunglasses, hats, or tinted screens to reduce light sensitivity

• Seating away from high-traffic areas

• Control over lighting (e.g., use of desk lamps instead of overhead lights)

🧠 Executive Function Support

• Clear written instructions in addition to verbal ones

• Task lists, checklists, or visual supports

• Extended time for assignments or tasks

• Flexible deadlines when possible

📅 Schedule Flexibility

• Flexible start/end times

• Work-from-home options or hybrid schedules

• Breaks between meetings to decompress or stim

• Extra time for transitions or commutes

🤝 Communication Preferences

• Option to communicate primarily via email or chat

• Advance notice before meetings or schedule changes

• Option to turn off video during virtual calls

• Use of scripts, outlines, or note-sharing after meetings

🌈 Emotional/Social Regulation

• Access to a quiet space or sensory room

• Use of calming tools or stim items at desk

• Breaks for self-regulation or therapy appointments

• Allowance for support person during onboarding or meetings

  
  

✍️ How to Ask for Accommodations

1. Document your needs.Make a short list of things you struggle with and what might help.

2. Write a request.Keep it simple and focused. Example:

“I experience [a condition that affects my ability to X], and I’d like to request [specific accommodation] to support my ability to do my job effectively.”

3. Submit to HR or a supervisor.You don’t need to overshare—just enough to show the accommodation is reasonable and connected to your job performance.

4. Follow up in writing.Always keep records of what you ask for and when.

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❤️ You Deserve to Thrive

Accommodations aren’t a sign of weakness. They’re a signal that:

• You understand your needs

• You’re invested in doing your job well

• You know your brain deserves support, not shame

You don’t have to hide, mask, or burn out to succeed.

💬 Final Thoughts

Workplaces thrive when all kinds of brains are supported—not just the “typical” ones. If you’re neurodivergent, you’re not a problem to fix. You’re a person with incredible strengths, and you deserve the tools to let those strengths shine.

So ask for what you need. Advocate for your space. You belong at the table—just as you are.

—The WeBe Sensory Team 💛

✨ Looking for sensory-friendly tools for work?

Our WeBe Wonderbox™ includes calming aids, fidgets, stim tools, and discreet sensory supports—perfect for the office, remote work, or anywhere your brain needs backup.