It’s National Inclusion Week, and the theme is “Now is the time.”
So let’s not waste time talking about why inclusion matters.
Let’s talk about what it actually takes!
There’s one equation I keep coming back to:
Autism + Environment = Impact
(Thanks to Dr Luke Beardon for this brilliant clarity - if you don’t know his work please check it out, I’ve linked to it in the Recommendations below)
But this isn’t just about autism.
It’s about all neurodivergence, and, frankly, all of us.
The environments we create - our systems, expectations, assumptions - shape people’s experience far more than we realise.
So if someone’s struggling, disconnected or burning out…
The question isn’t: what’s wrong with them?
It’s: what’s happening around them?
Today I’m talking about:
Info: Why environments are everything
Tips: How to reduce the “impact” by changing the setting
Recommendations: Suggestions to help shift mindset and practice
What does “Autism + Environment = Impact” actually mean?
It means that the way someone experiences the world - especially someone who is autistic or neurodivergent - depends hugely on what’s going on around them.
The environment shapes the impact.
Not just the physical space, but the pace, the noise, the expectations, the norms.
If the environment is supportive, safe and flexible - the impact can be positive.
If it’s overwhelming, rigid or full of unspoken rules - the impact can be stress, anxiety, shutdown, or burnout.
So when we see someone struggling, it’s easy to think the issue lies with them.
“She needs to be more resilient.”
“He’s just not engaged.”
“They’re not a good cultural fit.”
But what if we flipped that?
The person who’s shutting down in meetings?
Might be overwhelmed by noise, lights, and fast decisions.The person who doesn’t speak up in group work?
Might process information more slowly, or need more time to think.The person who seems withdrawn by the afternoon?
Might be masking so much that they’re emotionally exhausted.
This is what the equation helps us see: it’s not just about the person - it’s about the environment they’re in.
And that changes everything.
Because it means we don’t have to fix people.
We can change the setting.
We can change the culture and norms.
We can build environments where more people can thrive.
Practical ways to change the environment
If you want to reduce exclusion, overwhelm or stress, don’t start with the person. Start with the setup.
Teach your team the equation.
Help them see that the impact of neurodivergence isn’t fixed, it’s shaped. And that means they can shape it too.Audit your environment, not just your people.
Look at noise, pace, comms, assumptions. What’s being rewarded? What’s being excluded?Default to flexibility.
If a person thrives working from home, using headphones, or skipping socials - that’s not a problem to fix. It’s a clue to what works.Unlearn “professionalism” rules that exclude.
Eye contact, small talk, uniform energy levels - whose standards are those? And who do they leave out?Make feedback loops safer.
Ask: “What parts of this setup make things harder?” And then act on what you hear.
Recommended resources
Dr Luke Beardon: “Autism + Environment = Impact”
Find his work via his book What works for Autistic Adults (or more of his books!) or on YouTube.Ask this question in your next meeting:
“Is there anything about this process or space that makes it harder to show up fully and/or contribute?” You’ll be amazed what opens up when people feel safe to answer.National Inclusion Week: find out more here
A closing thought
Inclusion isn’t about changing people.
It’s about changing environments.
And that’s the opportunity of this moment.
Not to work harder, but to think differently.
Not to fix, but to enable.
Now is the time.
To rewrite the rules.
To reduce the impact.
To make space for all minds to thrive.
Speak soon,
Jess
PS Whenever you’re ready, here are some ways I can help:
Want me to speak or run a workshop in your organisation? Head here to book a chat and make a plan.
Join the waitlist for our NeuroNavigator® programme and become a certified Neurodiversity Champion. Doors closed for September, next cohort will be January 2026.
Book a FREE Discovery call to chat through how I can support your workplace, your school or your family.
PPS Here's what someone said about a recent workshop I ran… "I just wanted to say a big thank you for the session that you did with us just now - it was excellent. Pitched just right I thought and I loved the videos, they were great. I’ve done a few neurodiversity-focused trainings / workshops in the past and I have to say I found this one the best. You kept it simple but with really great impact.” |