As part of corporate conversations around diversity and inclusivity, it’s been great to see companies of all shapes, sizes and sectors put the needs of their neurodiverse employees front and centre in the workplace.
Including those diagnosed with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia (DCD), it’s estimated that around 15% (that’s 1 in 7) of the UK population is neurodivergent, often with valuable strengths like creativity, consistency and lateral thinking that enrich and add new perspective and innovation to internal teams.
While policies and training are clearly important to any diversity and inclusion policy, supporting neurodivergent staff also calls for careful thought in terms of the design of your workspace.
Neurodivergent individuals experience and interact with the world differently so, to help all your staff to do their best work, your office needs to cater for a broad span of cognitive and sensory variations to foster productivity and wellbeing for everyone.
But how can you create a neurodiverse-friendly space that balances sensory sensitivities and varied working styles with aesthetics, functionality and focus?
We asked our talented design team for their top tips to harness the power of thinking differently…
A warm welcome sets the tone at Kinrise Real Estate HQ by Design Tonic
But first - how exactly does Office Design impact your Neurodiverse Employees?
The first step towards designing a more inclusive workspace lies in understanding the factors that contribute to the work comfort and overall wellbeing of staff with neurodevelopmental differences.
Elements like flexibility, sensory comfort and colour schemes can have a significant impact, for good or for bad.
So how do you ensure your workplace falls on the side of the good?
Smart design is the key to addressing these factors effectively, and creating an inclusive and high-performing environment for all.
One of the most important aspects of office design for neurodiverse employees is spatial choice - and that’s something we factor into every Design Tonic space.
Research, studies and real-life experience show that all your staff - neurodivergent or not - derive huge benefits from having the ability to move between environments and choose the one that best suits their needs at any given time, with employees finding the choice empowering in ways that are shown to boost innovation, productivity and job satisfaction.
Sensory inputs are another critical factor for the neurodiverse - with excesses of light, noise and open space having the potential to distract and cause discomfort to those with sensory processing concerns.
And visual stimuli complete the comfort puzzle, with colour schemes and decor choices having the power to calm, balance or boost to suit the purpose of each individual area of your office.
Flexible work options at Kinrise at Boar Lane by Design Tonic
1. Embracing Workplace Flexibility for Neurodiverse Staff
We’ve talked before about the importance of incorporating different zones to facilitate different tasks - and the good news is that, as well as boosting the productivity of your workforce as a whole, these zones also help to provide your neurodiverse employees with the adaptability they need to thrive.
What kinds of space are we looking at?
As with all work environments, it depends on the types of tasks your employees might be engaged in - but a general rule is to combine traditional desking with:
Solo Spaces
Places for quiet work provide much-needed respite in busy, open offices, helping all employees find focus and offering a safe haven for those with ADHD or autism when open-plan becomes overwhelming - think quiet rooms with soft lighting and plush seating, phone booths or private workrooms with sonic comfort built in and personal workstations.
Collaborative Spaces
For times when teamwork makes the dream work, offering a choice of collaborative spaces is key - whether that’s through designing a range of different areas (booth seats, meeting and board rooms and informal sofa spaces all work well) or through introducing adjustable furniture and partitions that allow zones to be configured to suit.
Breakout Spaces
And finally, breakout zones that offer a place to relax and recharge are an important workplace addition for the neurodiverse, giving them the versatility to step away when they need to reduce stress and/or sensory overload.
These areas can also foster social interaction in a more relaxed setting, encouraging teamwork and collaboration without the pressure of formal meeting rooms - something which can be particularly important for neurodivergent individuals who may find structured social interactions challenging.
Sensory-friendly settings at The Alternative Board (TAB) and Phoenox Textiles by Design Tonic
2. Managing Sensory Input in the Office
Sensory sensitivities are a common characteristic among neurodiverse individuals, so it’s crucial to incorporate sensory-friendly elements to create a balanced environment.
Make the most of the natural light that your office gets, and complement it with soft, adjustable lighting that ideally allows your employees to control their own space to their own requirements.
If budgets allow, customised workstations can be tailored to individual sensory preferences, with individual lighting controls, soundproofing and ergonomic furniture.
When it comes to noise, build in sound-absorbing materials, from carpets and fabrics to acoustic solutions - we love the brilliant, creative range from Allsfär that covers everything from pendants to partitions; ceilings to canvases.
And don’t forget touch - the tactile stimulation of plush seating and textured fabrics and wallcoverings are a wonderfully subtle way to soothe the senses and encourage creative thought.
If you have the space, why not make like Microsoft and create a sensory room?
Their private zones are equipped with calming sensory inputs like weighted blankets, low lighting, gentle music and noise-cancelling headphones.
A scheme designed to soothe at Design Tonic HQ
3. Choosing a Neurodiverse-Friendly Colour Scheme for your Workplace
From schemes that calm and inspire to those that invigorate and energise, colour has the power to affect us all profoundly - and choosing hues and visual elements wisely plays a big part in ensuring the comfort and focus of your neurodiverse employees.
Discover our 3 favourite schemes for a healthy, happy and productive office
But there’s no need to turn to the bland - a word that’s not in the Design Tonic dictionary!
How would we design a scheme that caters for the comfort of all and still looks great?
The key is in choosing a balanced palette based on muted, soothing or cosseting neutrals (yes, we do include deep, dark shades in that) with bolder, brighter shades introduced as accents.
Then, we deploy that palette cleverly throughout your office to match the desired mood of each space.
Working from a harmonious base minimises any potential for overstimulation, while accents ensure that there are still pops of visual interest.
Biophilia principles in action at Kinrise Real Estate by Design Tonic
And, always a priority in any Design Tonic space, we would wholeheartedly embrace biophilia.
Biophilia, the incorporation of natural elements such as plants, natural light and natural materials into an interior scheme, is crucial to any modern office design - but it’s even more important in neurodiverse-friendly and sustainable workspaces, where the enhanced connection to the outside world offers a soothing and grounding effect that has a measurable impact on wellbeing, stress and happiness levels.
How to bring the outdoors in?
First, liberally drape your space with greenery - real or artificial, it can be hung from ceiling fixtures, adorn walls and desks, grow from dividers and drawers and climb partitions.
Greenery rules at GoodMove by Design Tonic
Then, add lots of natural materials, from warm woods to textural stone, and maximise access to windows and view of the outdoors wherever you can, designing your layout to make those vistas visible from various points of the office.
Comfort is key at Handelsbanken by Design Tonic
4. Place a Focus on Comfort
Physical comfort is especially important for neurodiverse individuals who may have specific sensory or postural needs.
Chairs, desks and monitor stands should be fully and easily adjustable to suit individual preferences, with ergonomic accessories like footrests and keyboard trays on offer to further enhance comfort.
And allowing employees to personalise their workspaces with their own possessions can help staff feel more at home and reduce anxiety, creating a sense of security and ownership for the neurodiverse over their workspace.
