ION Chat: Welcoming 2025: New Possibilities for Inclusion and Innovation

“We should not fit our life to the demands of social conformity; we can’t find a model to live by from others, we can only find that within ourselves.”

“We do not think of the neurodiversity movement as one that seeks to integrate neurominority people into all the existing ways of living in the world as a human being.”

“There is a certain way of being human that is our way. We want to be free to live our life in our way, and not in imitation of other’s life.”

ION Chat Update Jan 2025

by Susan Mackay 

Thanks to the ION members who joined the first monthly chat of the year. We jumped straight into discussing the issues that are uppermost in your minds at the start of 2025:

Sensory Overload and Holidays

We began by reflecting on the sensory overload many individuals face during the holiday season with high social expectations and sensory overload. The group agreed that increased awareness and understanding is needed to create more inclusive environments during this annual period of ‘high stress’.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): More Than a Tick-Box Exercise

Discussion touched on the parallels between neurodiversity and biodiversity. Just as biodiversity strengthens ecosystems, embracing neurodiversity strengthens schools, workplaces and communities. If we can normalise neurodiversity and foster more inclusive environments it, then becomes possible to harness the strengths of all individuals.

However, concerns were raised that current DEI initiatives often feel ‘performative’ with one participant drawing the parallel of ‘asking a wheelchair user to bring their own ramp’. The group agreed that true inclusion needs systemic support rather than self-advocacy by neurominority individuals.

Neurodiversity in Education: A Complex Landscape

This led into discussion of the challenges neurominorities continue to face in education. Dyslexic students, for instance, often receive extra time in exams but may not receive support for memory-related issues. The points to the narrow definition of conditions such as dyslexia and ADHD, which results in inadequate adjustments. It was also pointed out that while some universities have dedicated support services for students, many still fail to address the full spectrum of support needs for neurominority staff.

Navigating Neurodivergence in the Workplace

ION members shared personal journeys of late diagnoses in their careers in fields such as advertising and finance. Neurominority individuals often experience “not fitting in” until they discover they have been living with conditions such as dyslexia or ADHD. Despite this many have brought significant value to organisations, particularly in leadership and innovation.

Others raised concern that unconscious bias, stigma and discrimination continue to marginalize neurominority talent and there is a need to rethink attitudes and create neuroinclusive workplaces that tap into the unique strengths of neurominority thinkers.

From Weaknesses to Strengths: Reframing Neurodiversity

The conversation shifted to seeing dyslexia and other neurodiverse differences not solely as weaknesses but as alternative cognitive strengths. One member pointed to the buzz around the launch of ‘DyslexicU’ – the University of Dyslexic Thinking. This led into a discussion about the possibilities for neurominority individuals to excel in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) Many believe that new opportunities will open up for neurominorities given strengths such as pattern recognition and innovation, ability to question norms, and ability to go beyond linear thought processes.

Neurodiversity and Social Expectations

The discussion also raised concerns about the mental and emotional toll that unhealthy work environments can have on neurominority individuals. Late diagnoses can result from individuals experiencing severe difficulties trying to fit into toxic work environments. A common thread was the need for greater empathy and understanding, with several participants emphasizing the importance of ‘humanizing’ neurodiversity and seeing individuals beyond diagnostic labels.

Global Perspectives

With ION now active in 37 countries there were global reflections, including a participant raising his experience in Nigeria, where adult resources for neurominirity individuals remain scarce. This underscored the broader challenge of neurodiversity initiatives around the world still being heavily focused on children, leaving many adults without support.

Key Takeaways and the Way Forward

The session concluded with hopeful reflections on the growing awareness of neurodiversity and the importance of fostering inclusion. With the future of work evolving so quickly, neurodiversity should be seen as a competitive advantage. With linear thinking no longer the key requirement for success in many industries, creative, out-of-the-box thinking offers organisations a valuable edge.

At the same time participants cautioned against framing neurodiversity as a “superpower,” which can feel patronising and overlook the genuine struggles that many individuals face.

As neurodiversity continues to be ‘normalised’, there is optimism that the narrative will shift toward greater empathy, understanding, and celebration of cognitive diversity. That highlights the need for ION to move from discussion to action, ensuring that workplaces, educational institutions, and communities truly value the diverse ways in which people think and contribute.

This underscores the importance of continued advocacy and collaboration by ION members if we are to create a more inclusive future for neurodivergent individuals everywhere.

Join our next ION Chat, sign up below, where the conversation will undoubtedly continue to push boundaries and inspire action.

Susan Mackay

Author: Susan Mackay

With over 20 years of experience in empowering, coaching, and mobilizing for social change, Susan Mackay is a catalyst, coach, and changemaker who has worked in more than 40 countries to spark positive and meaningful change. Specialising in neurodiversity and inclusion, she is an internationally certified individual and Team Transformation Professional Coach and a certified facilitator in various methods, including LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and Human-Centered Design. Susan employs creative approaches to help individuals, families, and professional teams co-create their vision and action plans. Her rich cross-cultural experience includes senior roles at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, WHO, and the BBC, where she led impactful initiatives and built effective global partnerships.

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