4 ways employers can attract and support neurodiverse talent

Accommodating neurodivergent individuals during the hiring process may not be as difficult as employers assume. Accommodations  can range from an employee requesting noise-canceling headphones to better focus on their tasks, or a remote work option so an employee can feel comfortable in their environment. Neurodivergent individuals usually understand what they need from not only their company but themselves to be successful, says Anthony Pacilio, vice president of CAI Neurodiverse Solutions, an employment program that helps companies attract and retain neurodiverse talent. 

“I am neurodivergent myself — I suffer from extreme social anxiety disorder, which is humorous because I am the brand ambassador and I have to talk to folks,” Pacilio says. “It’s tough for me to do interviews, so I usually prepare two to three hours before. The barriers to hiring are not typically because of the individual, or even so much the job itself, but the client’s infrastructure.”