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What is neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is the concept that all human brains are diverse and function in unique ways. It suggests that people experience and interact with the world around them in a variety of ways; there is no single "right" way of thinking, learning, or behaving. Under this framework, neurological differences are viewed as natural variations rather than deficits.

Key terminology

• Neurodivergent (ND): An individual whose brain functions in ways that diverge significantly from dominant societal standards or what is considered "typical."
• Neurotypical (NT): An individual whose brain functions within the range considered typical for their age and culture.‍
• Neurodivergence: The state of having a brain that functions differently from the "typical" brain.

Common neurodivergent conditions

The following conditions are most frequently included under the neurodivergent umbrella:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, social interaction, and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development.
• Dyslexia: A specific learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate, fluent word reading and spelling. It is not a reflection of intelligence.
• Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder - DCD): A neurological condition that affects physical coordination, motor skills (both fine and gross), and movement planning.
• Dyscalculia: A specific learning difficulty involving persistent challenges with number-based concepts, arithmetic, and mathematical reasoning.‍
• Dysgraphia: Difficulty with the physical act of writing, including handwriting legibility, spacing, and expressing thoughts through written language.‍
• Tourette Syndrome (TS): A condition characterized by involuntary movements and sounds, known as tics.

Neurodiversity in the workplace: Key statistics

Understanding the impact of neurodiversity in professional environments is essential for fostering an inclusive culture.

Challenges to role performance

• Mental wellbeing: Almost three-quarters of neurodivergent workers are currently experiencing poor mental health at work.
• Absenteeism: 51% of neurodivergent employees have taken time off work due to issues specifically related to their neurodivergence.
• Anxiety: Neurodivergent individuals were found to have a 45% probability of being employed while suffering from worry or anxious feelings.
• Focus: The most prevalent concerns among neurodivergent individuals are being easily distracted (59%) and a lack of focus or engagement (56%).
• ADHD impact: 90% of employees with ADHD report work errors, conflicts, or working extra hours as a result of challenges in managing their symptoms.

Gaps in workplace support

• Lack of support: Half of neurodivergent people surveyed reported being off work in the last year due to insufficient workplace support for their condition.
• Dissatisfaction: Nearly one in three neurodivergent employees are dissatisfied with the current accommodations they receive at work.
• Managerial knowledge: 65% of managers admitted they did not have enough knowledge to effectively support neurodivergent employees.
• Adjustment refusals: Among autistic employees who requested adjustments, over a quarter were refused, and more than 1 in 10 found the implementation to be poor.
• Fear of stigma: 65% of neurodivergent employees fear discrimination from management.

13 companies reporting significant ROI from neuroinclusion initiatives

The following organisations have documented the tangible business value and Return on Investment (ROI) generated by their neurodiversity programs.

Auticon UK

Since prioritising the employment of IT consultants with autism, Auticon UK has reported:

• Professional contribution: 93% of Auticon’s clients stated that their neurodivergent consultants made valuable professional contributions to both accuracy and efficiency.
• Cultural shift: 85% of clients reported a greater understanding of neurodiversity, improving the inclusive culture for their entire workforce.

EY (Ernst & Young)

EY has established dedicated hubs in the UK and globally to leverage the cognitive strengths of neurodivergent professionals in cybersecurity and data analytics:

• Productivity gains: EY’s internal data shows that neurodiverse teams are 1.2 to 1.4 times more productive than those that are not.

SAP UK

As one of the first tech giants to publish reports on the business impacts of neurodiversity, SAP’s findings have been significant:

• Cost savings: SAP reported that a single neurodivergent employee developed a technical fix that saved the company an estimated £31m.
• Retention: They boast a 90% retention rate in an employee's first year, which is significantly higher than the tech industry average.

Microsoft UK

Microsoft reports a 90% retention rate for hires made through their neurodiversity programs, saving millions in recruitment and training costs annually.

Deloitte UK

Deloitte’s 2025/26 research highlights how neuroinclusive teams accelerate the transition from theory to practice:

• Innovation speed: Neuroinclusive organizations are 75% more likely to see ideas progress from concept to product.
• Problem-solving: Neurodiverse teams are reported to solve complex problems three times faster than homogeneous groups.

BBC

Through collaboration with the University of Cambridge’s ThinkLab, the BBC implemented flexible and remote working adjustments. Their report indicates that 75% of neurodivergent employees have performed better as a direct result of these changes.

HSBC

HSBC has integrated neurodiversity support into its global "Access Ability" program, focusing on roles in IT, risk, and relationship management:

• Talent acquisition: By tailoring interviews, HSBC has tapped into a pool of neurodiverse talent that excels in pattern recognition.
• Support ROI: Industry benchmarks show that every £1 invested in specialized support (such as the "Brain in Hand" system) can yield a return of up to £4 through reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.

GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)

GSK provides specialist, neuroinclusive tools to support researchers with ADHD or Autism, helping to boost focus and reduce burnout.

• Economic impact: Research indicates that providing these tools can save companies an average of £6,804 annually per employee.

🏆 Phoenix Court

Since January 2025, employees in VC firm Phoenix Court's London office have had access to all of Fertifa's clinical services and a reimbursement allowance.

Considering recent reports which highlight the business beneftis of neurodiversity in leadership teams in financial services companies, we're excited to help Phoenix Court's neurodiverse employees thrive in their roles and help the organisation continue to flourish.

🏆 Kraft Heinz

At the start of 2026, we launched with Kraft Heinz to support all 400 of their UK employees with any issues within underserved areas of healthcare, including neurodiversity.

We can't wait to see the results!

🏆 Fried Frank

According to a 2024 survey by Neurodiversikey, over half (51.4%) of neurodivergent respondents in the legal sector reported experiencing discrimination based on their neurotypes.

It's so great to see companies like Fried Frank leading the way to better support neurodivergent employees in the legal sector, and we can't wait to be a part of it!

🏆 Howden Group

All 4000+ of Howden's UK employees have access to specialist and on-demand neurodiversity, family-forming, menopause and gendered health consultation and treatment. Partnering with Fertifa has been the latest step in Howden's neuroinclusion initiatives which already included neurodiversity training for managers and personalised accommodations.

We can't wait to continue working with Howden to further enhance wellbeing and performance through our neurodiversity support.

🏆 Sony Interactive Entertainment

On the 1st of July 2025, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) launched with Fertifa to offer their people truly comprehensive support for underserved areas of healthcare, including access to neurodiversity specialists and a generous lifetime reimbursement allowance.

SIE recently scored a perfect 100 on the Disability Equality Index, which measures inclusion success, and we can't to support their employees and help them remain industry-leading.

Accessing Neurodiversity support through Fertifa

In partnership with leading organisations, including Melios, Sloane Court Clinic, Neurobox, Psicon, and Lexxic, Fertifa provides personalised care for a wide range of neurodivergent conditions, such as:

• ADHD and Autism
• Dyslexia and Dysgraphia
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• And many other neurological variations.

Fertifa's clinical partners conduct diagnostic assessments where appropriate and refer individuals back to Fertifa for ongoing, holistic support led by Fertifa's best-in-class clinical team.

Tailored tools and ongoing care

Depending on employee needs, our Neurodiversity support pathways may include:

• Clinical interventions: Medication management and specialised therapy.
• Professional development: Targeted coaching and workplace strategy sessions.
• Assistive technology: Specialist software, ergonomic equipment, and colored lenses.
• Environmental adjustments: Tailored tools designed to help manage symptoms and sensory needs more effectively.

Workplace Needs Assessments

We also offer comprehensive Workplace Needs Assessments. Crucially, these are available whether or not an individual has a formal diagnosis. These assessments are designed to identify simple, practical adjustments that make day-to-day work more accessible, sustainable, and productive.

Empowering your workforce

Simple adjustments for neurodivergent employees often yield the most significant results. When individuals with ADHD or other neurodivergent traits feel understood and supported, they are far more likely to thrive, contribute their full potential, and remain confident in their roles.

If you want to learn more about supporting your employees or discover what neurodiversity support is available to you as a Fertifa patient, book a call with our team today.

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