Neurodiversity Policy - July 2026

3. Defining Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity is an umbrella term used to refer to the different ways in which an individual's brain processes and learns information. We are a neurodiverse organisation as we have both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals working here.

Neurodivergent conditions include the following:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can cause difficulties in concentrating, focusing, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

• Autism / Aspergers (referred to collectively as autistic spectrum condition (ASC) or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)), which affects how people communicate and interact with the world.

• Dyscalculia, which affects the ability to process numbers and results in challenges with arithmetic and telling the time.

• Dysgraphia, which affects written expression and presents as difficulties with spelling and grammar, poor handwriting and trouble putting thoughts on paper.

• Dyslexia, which causes challenges with reading, writing and spelling.

• Dyspraxia (also known as developmental coordination disorder (DCD)), which affects physical coordination.

• Tourette's syndrome, which is characterised by physical behaviours such as tics.

This list is by no means exhaustive.

Many forms of neurodivergence are an innate part of how the brain develops and functions. While these differences may go unrecognised or undiagnosed in childhood, that doesn't mean they weren't there; they may have been present from childhood.

Acquired neurological conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and Alzheimer's disease, can also lead to neurodivergence.

We appreciate that neurodivergent conditions affect people in different ways, and some individuals may be diagnosed with one or more neurodivergent conditions with overlapping symptoms.