From March 16th to 22nd, 2026, we celebrate Neurodiversity Week!
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a global initiative that aims to challenge stereotypes and misunderstandings about neurological differences. It encourages schools, universities, organisations and communities to recognise the value of neurodiversity and support neurodivergent people.
The week focuses on celebrating different ways of thinking, promoting inclusion, and helping everyone feel valued and understood.
How is Disability Together getting involved?
Disability Together recognises the importance of supporting neurodiversity and creating spaces where people feel understood and included. To mark the week, we asked some of our Experts by Experience to share their thoughts.
They responded to two questions:
“What is one thing you wish more people understood about being autistic?” and
“What is one thing a workplace could do to be more inclusive for neurodivergent people?”
Their responses show how small changes can make a real difference, both in everyday life and in the workplace.
Asta, one of our Experts by Experience, shared their reflections on autistic communication and why normalising adjustments in the workplace can help create a more inclusive environment for everyone.
"That we are not being rude, we just have a different way of communicating and expressing ourselves that is often misunderstood."
What is one thing a workplace could do to be more inclusive for neurodivergent people?
"Normalise neurodivergence and disability in the workplace by offering every employee the opportunity to use reasonable adjustments, diagnosis or not."
Al, another Expert by Experience, shared his perspective on how autistic people may experience the environment around them, and how thoughtful approaches to change and transitions at work can help people feel more supported.
"Autism behaves in a very fluid way, positively and negatively, strengths and challenges, anxiety and excitement. Comfort is the key to balancing a smooth journey in a diverse life."
"The environment goes far beyond bricks and mortar, it's the sound, humidity, lighting, aroma, colour, texture, objects, even you and the individual perceiving the space. All of which is speaking as loud if not louder than the words you speak, however for me this is normal and it feels weird that other people don't experience it."
What is one thing a workplace could do to be more inclusive for neurodivergent people?
"Workplace inclusion would really benefit from the transitions being managed as intently as the features in a business. Challenges can come with changes between people, times, spaces, activities, even trains of though or forms of communication. Enabling autistic people between tasks and interactions brings the best out during them"
"Including diverse people comes with many strengths and valuable insights. Adjustments adding support to prepare, and comfort to deal with barriers makes a level field with an equal chance to deliver. The experience of adapting will also help many others in your firm, not just those with diversity."
Heidi, another Expert by Experience, shared her perspective on how autism can be different for everyone. She spoke about the importance of focusing on people’s strengths and having clear communication at work.
"One thing I wish that more people would understand about being autistic is that everyone's different. Everybody struggles differently. And the fact that it's a small part of them, and there's so much more to being autistic, and to focus on the strengths of people who are autistic."
What is one thing a workplace could do to be more inclusive for neurodivergent people?
"One thing a workplace could do to be more inclusive of neurodivergent people could be avoiding last-minute changes. For example, as well, it's important to have clarity as well, which is important for people who are autistic or neurodivergent. And the fact that the example I have is that I, as a reasonable adjustment, I have time to arrange my diary without causing me too much stress and anxiety."
We would like to thank the Experts by Experience who took the time to share their perspectives. Hearing directly from people with lived experience helps build greater understanding of neurodiversity and the different ways people experience the world.
At Disability Together, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels supported.
This includes recognising the value of neurodiversity and ensuring staff can access reasonable adjustments where needed, helping people to work in ways that suit them best and enabling everyone to contribute their strengths.
Improving understanding of learning disability and autism through our Oliver McGowan training
As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we are also reflecting on the impact of our delivery of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism which helps build greater understanding of learning disability and autism across health and social care.
More than 13,500+ staff across Torbay, Exeter, Plymouth and North Devon have now completed the training through our dedicated team of trainers and Experts by Experience.
Delivering the training alongside people with lived experience helps ensure the learning is authentic, practical and grounded in real life perspectives.
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is the government’s recommended training for health and social care staff. It aims to improve understanding and support for people with a learning disability and autistic people, helping services provide more informed and inclusive care.
At Disability Together, Disabled people are at the centre of everything we do. That is why we know this training can make a real difference, and why we are proud of the thousands of delegates who have taken part so far.
