Empowering neurodiversity: panel discussion

About the session

The war for talent is palpable for everyone, but there's a way to find talent in a lesser-known pool: the neurodivergent crowd. The difference with neurotypical employees is that they sometimes need a little more support because their brains work differently than the norm, but that doesn't mean the support is of any less quality.

As a company, you need to be ahead of the curve, so you first need to work on inclusion within the company before you can transition to diversity.

Inclusion is a verb

Committed to diversity means taking a people-focused approach. Each person needs a unique approach to reach their maximum potential. It's important to recognize each other's needs and adapt to each talent's potential. When men succeed in this, a diverse team will also be a strong team.

Neurodivergent individuals often exhibit imposter syndrome. This means they feel they cannot perform to their full potential and are forced to rely on external circumstances. As a company, it's important to adequately acknowledge their strengths to maximize their talents.

In practice

About 12 years ago, Belfius began searching for ways to optimize the relationship between business and IT. They found Passwerk, which trained and coached men on the autism spectrum to work in IT companies. In a first project, two Passwerk consultants worked at Belfius. Thanks to the inclusive workplace they found, they settled in well and were able to work more productively.

Telenet opted for a different approach. By surveying employees about (neuro)diversity, they developed an understanding of the different forms. More topics became open to discussion, and employees felt more comfortable expressing their needs.

To make this approach successful, it's important for a company to be willing to effectively implement the results.

At Dell, she is a global leader in the Employee Resource Groups (ERG). These are communities of employees committed to various issues. One of their ERGs, True Ability, focuses on the use of and learning about people with disabilities or special needs.

Panelists

• Amber Vandekerckhove, Flemish Government
• Annelies Van De Slijke, Telenet
• Arnaud Bacros, Dell Technologies
• Gert Vanhaecht , Belfius
• Introduction: Dirk Rombaut , Passwerk
• Moderator: Marina De Moerlooze , Laco Support