These Great Minds July 2024

Felicity had a hunch that she might be neurodivergent back in school when she was struggling to learn at the same pace as her peers. However, it wasn’t until her second year at university that she received an official diagnosis of dyspraxia. Today, she thrives at an assistive tech company as a customer support representative — a role heavily reliant on communication skills, an area many with dyspraxia find challenging.

👋 Welcome to our very first email of These Great Minds! In this edition, you’ll learn more about dyspraxia, explore workplace challenges, and gain insights on how to access the support you need.

Wondering if you might have dyspraxia, too? You’re not alone.

Dyspraxia is a developmental and neurodivergent condition that affects movement, balance, and coordination. It affects up to 10% of the UK population, making it a common learning difficulty. You might relate if you find yourself in the workplace…

😶‍🌫️ shying away from social events that include physical activities

💭 struggling to organise your thoughts

⏰ facing issues when scheduling your diary

Those long pauses before responding in conversations? They could be another clue hinting at dyspraxia. Here is a checklist for you to understand the symptoms of dyspraxia more.

Is dyspraxia a challenge or a unique trait?

For professionals with dyspraxia, communication skills often pose a significant workplace challenge. From expressing ideas in meetings to navigating negotiations (yikes!), these tasks can be daunting.

Felicity, for instance, says she often needs to ask the same question multiple times to ensure she has understood correctly, which some managers might respond to with frustration. Fortunately, her manager handles this patiently, always ready to repeat instructions as needed.

🧠 Yet, we know that navigating neurodivergence is not a one-size-fits-all experience. While communication may be challenging for some, it’s a unique trait that fosters creativity and problem-solving for others.

“I often think outside the box and see solutions others don’t.”
Chadia Aliberti, Former Communications Executive

“You’ll find me as a dedicated team member who consistently seeks solutions and approaches tasks creatively.”
Felicity Barlow, Customer Support Representative

✨ Share your story with the community ✨

Share now

💗 What about you — has dyspraxia impacted your workplace experience? If so, is it primarily challenging, or do you see benefits alongside the struggles?

Share your story with our community of neurodivergent professionals here at These Great Minds; where someone might find inspiration in your story.

Do you have the support you need in the workplace?

🙌 Open up about your dyspraxia

One of the quickest paths to accessing the support you need is through open dialogue with your manager or people team. Explain your challenges and needs as a neurodivergent professional. This can help your organisation and team members understand you better and provide the diverse support you need. 👀 You might be surprised by how willing your peers are to support you.

🙋‍♀️ Know your rights

Disclosing your dyspraxia isn’t always easy, but remember that it’s protected under the Equality Act (2010). Your employer is legally obliged to provide workplace adjustments that accommodate your needs. If your organisation champions neurodiversity, that’s fantastic! Time to encourage them to create tailored solutions for employees with dyspraxia.

💎 Take advantage of the Access to Work scheme

Here’s something not everyone knows: You don’t need a formal diagnosis to access support at work. The government’s Access to Work scheme offers suggestions for accommodations, even without a diagnosis.

✨ We would love to hear your thoughts about our newsletter. ✨

Leave your thoughts

Felicity is a successful team member here at CareScribe. The day she started working here, she was given immediate access to the tools she needed such as TalkType, a dictation tool. She has challenges with putting her thoughts into writing, and TalkType helps her compose detailed emails and customer support messages effectively. She has also been encouraged to explore Access to Work to better understand her needs and tailor solutions accordingly.

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Looking forward to speaking you again next month! Subscribe now to receive the next edition. 📩