Re-thinking “Normal”: How we Work and Who it Works For.
For Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we’ve been talking about something that sounds simple, but really matters – there isn’t one “right” way to think, work or communicate.
So, at Bell we’re trying to understand people as individuals. What can sometimes be seen as a limitation might be a mismatch between the person and the environment around them. Siobhan Pengelly talked to us about what shifts when people take time to see things through her eyes, instead of making assumptions. She also talks openly about how her brain works, how she processes information, and why clear communication makes such a difference, as well as how exhausting it can be trying to fit into ways of working that don’t quite fit you.
Neurodiversity in the workplace: Key Insights
Reliable data on neurodivergent people of working age is still evolving, but several important trends stand out:
Around 15% of the UK population and an estimated 15–20% globally, are neurodivergent.
More than 1 in 100 people are on the autism spectrum, thats roughly 700,000 autistic children and adults in the UK.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is thought to affect 3–4% of UK adults, or around 2.6 million people.
Approximately 10% of the UK population is dyslexic, with over 6 million people potentially undiagnosed.
Our managers don’t separate inclusion from how we operate. Because when people are supported to work in ways that suit them, teams are stronger, ideas are better, and outcomes improve for everyone.
That’s The Bell Way: listening, learning, and creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
