Being unique may work to your advantage

A framework for comprehending mental illness and the functioning of the human brain is called neurodiversity. It makes the case that disparities in cognitive ability among people are natural and that many diseases labeled as mental disorders are really differences and impairments that aren’t always unhealthy. We questioned neurodivergent women about their experiences in the workforce, society at large, and advice they would want to share with other members of their community.
Deeksha behaved differently than her peers.

After receiving an ADHD diagnosis in middle school, I’ve had trouble understanding why my behavior differs from that of my peers.

I now want to speak out about this and educate others about neurodiversity, particularly for women in the workforce. My experience working with members of marginalized populations in the social and mental health sectors has deepened my understanding of the significance of neurodivergence awareness.
My job is affected by a developmental issue, namely ADHD spectrum disorder. But I’ve learned how to get by and succeed in life thanks to the support of my community. I think that by sharing my experiences, we can all work in a more positive environment. I’m constantly looking for ways to address the stigma and lack of understanding around neurodivergence by talking about how we can make workplaces more welcoming and supportive of individuals like me. I’ve had the good fortune to work at IKEA, where everyone is welcoming, honest, accepting of my struggles, and kind and caring regardless of whether they identify as neurotypical or neurodivergent.
Maithili is skilled at coming up with quick fixes.
Maithili Gaikwad is the lead associate at Tata Power’s Cadre campus management.
My condition is spina bifida. Managing everyday obstacles as a person with a handicap requires forward preparation. I’m always prepared with a backup plan in case things don’t work out as planned.
I’ve learned to call ahead and confirm accessibility if I need to use the restroom, go to a restaurant, or just go to a mall. And I’ve become good at coming up with answers on the fly when presented with unforeseen obstacles. It all comes down to identifying those answers among the difficulties. I really think there are answers out there; you just need to be proactive in looking for them. My well-being depends on striking a balance between my personal and professional lives. I make time in the mornings to do key work so that I have time to relax and clear my head in the evenings. It’s also simpler for me to balance my personal and professional lives since I can work digitally and from home on certain days with my teams. The inclusive atmosphere at Tata Power is simply amazing; I never feel different or subjected to discrimination from my teammates.
Modest accommodations have a big impact.
Deepti Kakkirala is an application developer at Accenture’s Advanced Technology Centers in India.
In 2022, I started working as an application development associate at Accenture. My autism is moderate to mild. I generally find it difficult to interact with others and would rather talk only when prompted. I find it simpler to accomplish objectives when I divide larger jobs into smaller groups,, since there are moments when multitasking becomes challenging. My coworkers, who helped me feel welcomed and at ease during the process, are especially responsible for the seamless onboarding experience I had. My IT support manager went above and beyond by personally coming to my house to assist with laptop setup so I could begin working right away. This made my family and I feel better and less anxious about starting a new job. I’m a task-oriented person who likes to stick to a schedule and do my tasks on time. I’ve accepted my individuality with grace, and I think that modest modifications and acceptance may make a big difference in my personal and professional development.
In the workplace, support networks are essential.
Snap_4-removebg-preview Aparimita Singh, Associate Fulfillment Center, Amazon India (2)
I have been actively involved in the Special Olympics since I was a little child. My parents saw my ability and looked for ways to help me improve professionally and personally. As a result, I enrolled in Sol’s ARC 1-year retail program. In conquering the obstacles brought on by my intellectual impairment, I have made progress. One of my coping strategies is to adjust to difficulties with writing, reading, and communicating. My ability to communicate has much improved, and now when I find Hindi difficult to understand, I turn to Hindi.
After completing demanding training at Sol’s ARC, a nonprofit organization that develops educational materials for children and young people, I was able to move from having trouble understanding simple words to reading simple phrases with ease. My strategy for career advancement is to rise to obstacles and take advantage of support networks, like Sol’s ARC mentoring program. Finding friends and support from colleagues has also been beneficial and emphasizes how crucial a friendly work environment is to my career. Amazon has also made internships available under Project Aurora, in collaboration with Sol’s ARC, as well as ways for people with learning difficulties to find fulfilling jobs and make a contribution to society.
My shortcomings are my assets.
Vaishali Kannan, Salesforce India’s staff technical writer
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(Homeless: Growing up Lesbian and Dyslexic in India, written by Vaishali, was released in 2023 by Yoda Press and Simon & Schuster.)
I never thought that getting diagnosed at the age of 20 with dyslexia and dysgraphia would be a game-changer for me as a child. After failing my first year of college, it was a difficult period. I felt unworthy of success and lacked role models. Upon starting my employment, I felt compelled to conceal my neurodiversity and overcompensate for what I thought were my limitations. I felt like I wasn’t being genuine because of this, and eventually I burned out. But eventually, I proudly came to terms with my dyslexia and began to recognize the unique abilities it had given me. Because of my dyslexia, I’m skilled at detecting patterns, picking up on subtleties that others might miss, and coming up with unique solutions. When I focused on these skills, everything for me changed. It is important for organizations to provide a welcoming and inclusive work environment for individuals with neurodiverse traits, and Salesforce fully endorses this strategy. This necessitates making sure management understandss both the advantages and disadvantages of neurodiversity. Grammar software and screen readers are two low-cost solutions that may make a significant difference.
Examine a company’s culture prior to joining.
Asha Sreedhar, SAP Labs India’s Quality Associate

In July 2015, I started working as a quality associate with autism at SAP Labs India. My coworkers, boss, and mentor have all been very accommodating, understanding, and supportive of me at work. One of my contributions to the IT industry is ensuring that products are adequately tested in terms of functionality and usability, as well as meeting deadlines for testing jobs. People with autism are gifted and capable of displaying amazing abilities. In order to interact with my management and coworkers in an efficient manner, I had to overcome my shyness at work. Every time I learn anything new, I now film the session rather than memorizing it. To other autistic techies, I would advise them to invest time in investigating and checking out businesses or organizations that employ autistic experts before applying for jobs. Additionally, after being chosen, the business or organization have to take the effort to learn about autism, get training on how to assist individuals with autism, and assign a mentor who will support and guide them. Finding a job you love and picking up new abilities to go up the corporate ladder are always positive things.
Our vocabulary does not determine who we are.
Nehal Tiwari | Advisor, Technology Advisor, EY

Autism spectrum disorder affects me. I’ve spent the past three years with EY. I learned about openings at EY’s Neuro Diverse Centers of Excellence (NCoE) via the Forum for Autism WhatsApp group. I applied right away. The EY team conducted an online interview first. Following that, we were given a worksheet to complete. Following selection, all applicants participated in a five-day online exam as part of the Super Week recruiting process, during which the EY team evaluated us based on a variety of criteria. I felt at ease since I could talk to others via chat. I had to study a lot of courses in school that I found challenging. I was bullied sometimes. My poor verbal communication skills caused me difficulties in interviews. My linguistic skills were evaluated instead of my cerebral prowess. I gained financial independence and increased my confidence after joining EY. I get the same treatment as my coworkers who are neurotypical here. I never feel excluded—I always feel included. My performance has improved since my superiors are well-versed in autism.