Research by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered membership organisation for the project profession, has identified that people with neurodevelopmental conditions – such as ADHD, dyslexia, and autism spectrum disorder – could bring unique insights and talents to many organisations and projects, if they were better supported to do so.

APM commissioned the recently published ‘Promoting Neurodiversity Report’ to assess how well the industry is integrating neurodivergent people, and what more needs to be done. The report states that neurodivergent individuals sometimes have strengths and abilities that can support project success, including better pattern recognition, risk management, adaptability, and more.

However, it also found that these individuals face barriers to employment, such as finding difficulties with the traditional interview process, or facing sensory overload in a busy office environment.

It concludes that more needs to be done to ensure neurodivergent individuals have as much chance to succeed as their neurotypical colleagues.

APM listed seven recommendations that companies can adopt:

    • Promoting neurodiversity awareness and training
    • Enhancing disclosure processes
    • Implementing reasonable adjustments and flexible policies
    • Reassessing recruitment and training practices
    • Fostering supportive networks
    • Redesigning workspaces and meeting environments
    • Focusing on strength-based task assignment

Carrick Brown, a neurodivergent project professional who currently works for Citizens Advice, has welcomed the report.

After his son was diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD and autism, Carrick noticed similarities in his own behaviours and experiences in his career, leading him to seek a diagnosis.
Carrick was found to have PTSD from a previous workplace incident, as well as ADHD and autism.

Carrick said: “I would often struggle to deal with rejection at work, and would often take instructions very literally, sometimes leading to errors when things were not explained fully. However, I have found that my curious nature and ability to hyperfocus on tasks are big strengths for me within project management. I understand the needs of the client.

“My diagnosis allowed me to understand better these traits and my behaviours, and although it was a risk to disclose my condition to my employer, they could not have been more understanding.

“I think huge strides have been made within project management to accommodate neurodivergent staff in recent years, but there are still plenty of companies that only have performative inclusion – where they claim to welcome people of all backgrounds but do not actually make reasonable adjustments for them.

“If companies can adopt systems that can accommodate for neurodivergent staff and truly understand the differences between individuals and how they work, it will not only make a difference to those people, but the success of the company as well. APM’s report clearly outlines that, and I hope the project management profession takes its recommendations on board.”

The report was commissioned by APM after it identified a lack of neurodiverse representation in the industry and aimed to understand the reasons behind it and what could be done to improve things.

Professor Adam Boddison OBE, chief executive of APM, said: “Our report shows the strengths neurodivergent people bring to the project management profession and the positive progress organisations have made, but significant barriers still remain.

“The seven recommendations in the report around recruitment, training, implementing reasonable adjustments, establishing peer support networks, and creating a genuinely inclusive culture should help the profession improve significantly.

“Neurodivergent individuals are capable of thriving as project managers, but without the right systems in place, many will go unnoticed or will struggle at work. We are hopeful this report will help decision-makers to make any necessary changes and enable neurodivergent people to embrace project management as a viable career path.”