National Bestseller
A Porchlight Book Company Top New Release
As seen on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
"An interesting read for anybody curious about the human story and our development in society."
- Irish Tech News
"Groundbreaking guide...innovative and accessible."
- SanFrancisco Book Review
In The Neurodiversity Edge, renowned Oxford-trained cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, and business leader, Dr. Maureen Dunne presents a pioneering framework to harnessing the power of neurodiversity to navigate the most important human resources revolution in the modern era.
Did you know that an estimated 1 in 5 people are “neurodivergent” - have a mind that works differently, such as the autistic, ADHDers, the dyslexic, synesthetes, and other unique neurotypes - and that the vast majority are motivated, capable, and unemployed?
This indispensable guide is based on more than two decades of immersive cognitive science research, case studies, stories from neurodivergent voices, in-the-trenches work with hundreds of organizations from start-ups to global Fortune 500 titans, and Dr. Dunne's own lived experiences as a neurodivergent employer, entrepreneur, board member, and CEO. Too many unique minds and perspectives on the sidelines, and too many organizations beset by groupthink, innovation-stagnation, and a lack of access to qualified new candidates. The Neurodiversity Edge takes you all the way from why to what and to how, delivering practical insights that build on a new foundational framework:
- Cultivate a values-driven approach to building a culture of sustained authentic inclusion where everyone can thrive
- How to improve the interview process to avoid missing game-changing talent
- Develop a hybrid office protocol that works for everyone and a support infrastructure that aligns with universal design principles
- Discover why Google's Project Aristotle found that innovation and performance hinge on psychological safety
- Uncover and eliminate the destructive influence of unconscious cognitive biases
- Take a graphic tour into the wonders of the human mind
- Understand unique problem-solving abilities such as lateral thinking, visual-spatial thinking, multisensory thinking, leaps of creative insight, hyperfocus, and many more
- How to articulate and implement organizational goals and measure progress toward them
The Neurodiversity Edge is an essential guide for executives, board directors, human resources professionals, managers, recruiters, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, allies, educators, nonprofit leaders, and anyone with an interest in better understanding neurodiversity, authentic neuroinclusion, and the human mind.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I Why 17
1 A Tale of Two Worlds 19
2 The Perils of Groupthink 37
3 The Economics of Neurodiversity Inclusion 57
4 The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Cognitive Diversity 73
Part II What 99
5 From Why to How 101
6 Thinking Outside Check-the-Box 119
7 Neurodiversification Versus Culture Fit 131
8 Tricks Minds Play 151
Part III How 171
9 Building a Sturdy Foundation 173
10 Recruiting for Cognitive Diversity 193
11 Accommodating Humans 209
12 Workplace Flexibility 221
13 Universal Empathy Network 245
Conclusion: Neurodiversity and the Age of Transformation 263
Appendix: Tools to Inspire Authentic Neurodiversity Inclusion & Belonging 279
Sample Neurodiversity- Friendly Organizational Culture Checklist 281
Glossary of Terms 285
Notes 291
Bibliography 303
Index 315
