The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization

by Maureen Dunne

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781394199280
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	03/12/2024
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	27,091
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 6.20(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

DR. MAUREEN DUNNE is a cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, global keynote speaker, board director, and business leader helping organizations build thriving cultures for more than two decades. She has served as a Senior Advisor to some of the world’s top corporate brands, Fortune 500 companies, scaleups, higher education institutions, venture capital funds, and government officials. A member of the neurodiversity community and a Rhodes Scholar, her work has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, MIT Sloan Management Review, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Entrepreneur, DiversityQ, UNLEASH, and Inside Higher Ed.

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