COVID-19 related factors affecting the experiences of neurodivergent persons in the workplace: A rapid review.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic offer possibilities to advance social justice. One such prospect is to make workplaces more inclusive of neurodivergence. OBJECTIVE: This research addresses the question of, in what ways might COVID-19 affect the experiences of neurodivergent persons in the workplace? METHODS: Conducting a rapid review, the author has applied thematic analysis to a total of 50 documents comprised of journal articles, news articles, and guides as retrieved from purposive searches of ProQuest Central, ProQuest Newsstream International, Google Scholar, and Google databases. RESULTS: Research results have revealed themes of challenges and opportunities, and sub-themes of accommodating (i.e., remote working, employee recruitment, retainment or advancement and/or access); and diversity and inclusion (i.e., acceptance, empathy and/or ERGs). CONCLUSION: This study has informed a baseline COVID-19-related guide to accommodating and including neurodivergence in the workplace. The review concludes by offering possibilities as to what a COVID-19 inspired 'new normal' might mean for supporting neurodivergent staff (and prospective staff).