Neurodivergent people can have unique needs in different areas of their lives, including work, education, care and daily life. Below we discuss what you need in these different domains and where you can find this support.

At work

What is needed:

• Adjustments in the workplace: This can range from flexible working hours and options to work from home to ergonomic workstations and low-stimulus spaces.
• Clear communication: Employers and colleagues need to learn to communicate clearly and directly, where needed with visual support such as schedules and checklists.
• Mentoring and coaching: Assigning a mentor or coach who can offer support in navigating work-related challenges and social dynamics.
• Focus on strengths: Tasks and projects should be matched as far as possible to the strengths and interests of neurodivergent employees.

Where to get it:

• HR departments: Many companies have HR professionals who can help with putting adjustments in place.
• Job coaches: There are specialised job coaches who can guide neurodivergent people.
• Inclusive workplace initiatives: Companies that are committed to inclusion often have programmes and resources available for neurodivergent employees.

In education

What is needed:

• Personalised support: Educational institutions should offer individual learning plans that take account of the unique learning styles and needs of neurodivergent students.
• Adjustments to tests and exams: This can include extra time, alternative forms of assessment or a quiet room for taking tests.
• Use of technology: Aids such as speech-to-text software, audiobooks and educational apps can make learning easier.
• Low-stimulus environments: Offering quiet spaces and sensory support in classrooms.

Where to get it:

• Student support services: Universities and colleges often have departments that specialise in supporting students with special needs.
• Special education programmes: Schools and programmes that are geared to neurodivergent students.

In care

What is needed:

• Individualised care plans: Care plans that take account of the unique neurological and psychological needs of neurodivergent people.
• Accessible communication: Care providers should use techniques that are clear and understandable, such as visual support or simple language.
• Holistic approach: Treatment and support should address both physical and mental health, with attention to sensory and emotional needs.
• Trauma-sensitive care: Care providers should be trained in recognising and supporting trauma in neurodivergent people.

Where to get it:

• Specialist clinics: There are clinics that specialise in care for neurodivergent people.
• Therapists and counsellors: Professionals who have experience of working with neurodivergent people.
• Support groups: Community and online support groups can offer valuable resources and networks.

In life

What is needed:

• Routine and structure: Fixed routines and clear structures can help to reduce stress and promote predictability.
• Accessible information: Information about daily tasks and responsibilities should be clear and understandable.
• Social support: Access to social networks and communities that offer understanding and support.
• Self-care strategies: Techniques and aids for self-care, such as mindfulness, sport and hobbies that offer relaxation and pleasure.

Where to get it:

• Community organisations: Many organisations offer support and activities for neurodivergent people.
• Online communities: There are countless online forums and social media groups where neurodivergent people and their families can find support and advice.
• Self-help books and apps: There are many resources aimed at improving self-care and managing daily life.

Conclusion

If you are neurodivergent, you have specific and unique needs at work, in education, in care and in daily life. By recognising these needs and offering suitable support, we can create an inclusive society in which everyone gets the chance to thrive.

It is important to know where this support can be found, and to make sure of a holistic approach (body and mind cannot be seen separately) that takes account of the diversity of human experience.

Read more about care needs and neurodiversity.

Prof. dr. Jim van Os, Chair Division Neuroscience, Utrecht University Medical Centre. Jim works at the interface of ‘hard’ brain science, health services research, art and subjective experiences of people with ‘lived experience’ in mental healthcare. 

Jim has been appearing on the Thomson-Reuter Web of Science list of ‘most influential scientific minds of our time’ since 2014. In 2014 he published his book ‘Beyond DSM-5‘, and in 2016 the book ‘Good Mental Health Care’. In 2026 he published 'Wat psychisch lijden is'.

Want to read more?

Blogs by Jim van Os can be read here

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