Today, we’re diving into another important aspect of neurodivergence in the workplace, specifically examining the persistent employment and income disparities that neurodivergent professionals experience. These disparities range from biased hiring practices, unemployment, underemployment and job insecurity, to unequal pay, and limited career advancement—all of which highlight the need for more inclusive, supportive work environments. It’s not only important that we recognize the value of neurodiverse individuals, but that we also create workplaces and opportunities that foster equity and inclusion for all.

The words and language we use to describe individuals and groups of people matter. Certain terms can be offensive and have harmful impacts on the way others view and treat the individuals or groups being described. In the case of Autism, there has been a long history of ableist language used to describe Autistic individuals, contributing to the perpetuation of ableist ideologies surrounding neurodivergent folks. In addition to the ableist language used by the general public, ableism has also influenced how Autism is described in research, further shaping societal perceptions.