Online Training

Unlocking Potential: Neurodivergence in the Workplace

Rethinking recruitment, retention and employee experience

05 & 12 March 2025

10:00 AM - 2:30 PM AEDT

Next intake: 05 & 12 March 2025 | 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM AEDT

Overview

It is estimated that 1 in 8 people are neurodivergent with about 34 percent of the community unemployed, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 

This is changing as workplaces across A/NZ recognise and appreciate how neurodiversity strengthens their workforce. The public sector is leading the way, with major agencies driving neuro inclusion initiatives across recruitment, retention and employee experience. However neuroinclusion is still in its infancy for the following reasons:  

Most neuroinclusion initiatives are often short-sighted and riddled with missed opportunities. This is because the focus is on accommodations whilst falling short on driving real cultural change. Accommodations are critical to inclusion, but cultural change is the cornerstone of belonging. That begins with awareness. 

The other challenge is that most organisations find it difficult move from recognition to action. A recent report revealed a shocking disconnect: 78% of executives believe neurodiversity is an advantage, but only 22% have implemented concrete programs. This exists because most executives do not know where to start. 

Traditional recruitment practices put neurodivergent talent at a disadvantage. These processes and initiatives need to be reevaluated.  

This workshop has been developed to help HR, Recruitment and Team Executives plan and support spaces in which neurodivergent employees can not only succeed but thrive. 

Who Should Attend?

This course will benefit APS6 to EL2 professionals and their state and local government equivalents) in
Organisational Development | Recruitment | HR
Talent Management | Capability Development

Learning Outcomes

Creating a safe and inclusive workplace for neurodivergent team members
Managing disclosure and understanding accommodations
Improving communication strategies and using strengths-based language
Leading and managing mixed neurotype teams and inclusive language for Neurodivergence
Debunking myths: Understanding Neurodivergence

Online Training

Unlocking Potential: Neurodivergence in the Workplace


Session details

  • Learn how you can support safe spaces, ones in which neurodivergent staff can succeed and thrive  
  • Understand how you can change your management processes and systems to promote greater productivity  
  • Improve your communication to drive greater well-being of your neurodivergent staff  
View course modules

Level: Fundamentals

No previous experience necessary

Key Sessions

10.00am Opening Remarks  

  • Welcome  
  • Introductions  
  • Overview and Setting Expectations 

10:30am Understanding neurodiversity  

  • What neurodiversity is and what it is not  
  • Exploring the different types of neurodiversity  
  • Neurodiversity in the workplace  

11:45am The business case for having a neurodiverse workplace  

  • Good work is good for mental health  
  • Performance, productivity and wellbeing outcomes  
  • Building your business case  

12:30pm Break  

1:00pm Key considerations for supporting neurodiversity in the workplace  

  • Shared roles and responsibilities  
  • Neurodiversity across the employee lifecycle  

1:45pm Case study 

  • Creating a leading practice neurodiversity program  

2:30pm End of Day 1  

10:15am The important role of leadership  

  • Leaders roles and responsibilities for supporting neurodiversity  
  • Leading and managing neurodiverse teams  
  • Coaching leaders to support neurodiversity  

11:00am Early intervention conversations  

  • A care conversation framework for supporting vulnerability  
  • Managing disclosures  

11:45am Break  

 

12:15pm Understanding reasonable accommodations and adjustments  

  • Reasonable adjustments in the context of neurodiversity  
  • Unpacking local and enterprise level accommodations  

1:00pm Support and escalation pathways  

  • Supporting individuals  
  • Supporting others  
  • Supporting self  
  • Best-practice resources and frameworks 

 2:15pm Closing Remarks  

Meet Your Facilitator

Katie Alexander

Principal Psychologist | Australian Psychological Services

Katie is a registered psychologist and principal consultant at Australian Psychological Services, with over 8 years of experience in providing psychological services across government, private, and non-for-profit organisations. She has a strong background in supporting companies to create mentally healthy workplaces, including developing mental health strategies, conducting psychosocial risk reviews, and delivering workplace mental health capability uplift initiatives.

Katie has worked across various industries, including banking, financial services, legal, healthcare, emergency services, law enforcement, and government. She has a particular interest in vicarious and cumulative trauma, supporting high-risk clients to implement proactive, preventative approaches to managing workplace exposure.

Register Today

Join this training for professionals working within the Public Sector

Pay for individual courses

Extra Early Bird

Ends 13 Dec

$A 795

per person + tax $400 saving

 

Early Bird

Ends 24 Jan

$A 995

per person + tax $200 saving

 

Regular

Ends 4 Mar

$A 1195

per person + tax

Additional discounts are available for group registrations of 10 or more. For group or payment enquiries or custom training solutions, please contact [email protected]

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