Neurodiversity at Work

Real stories of neurodivergent professionals navigating workplaces, finding their strengths, and advocating for inclusion. Curated and written by Elissia Moullas.

About this series

These are the stories that rarely appear on a resume. They are stories of burnout and resilience, of diagnosis and clarity, of workplaces that failed and workplaces that transformed. Each person here shared their experience so that others would feel less alone, and so that leaders might build something better. We are grateful to every contributor who trusted us with their story.

Steven Atme
Autism
The Heart of Advocacy: Steven’s Story of Faith, Resilience, and Inclusion
From McDonald’s to music classrooms to submitting legislative proposals to Canada’s health ministers, Steven Atme turns lived experience into advocacy and compassion into change.
Amrrita Chopraa
Autism · ADHD
Special in the Best Possible Way: Amrrita’s Story
Diagnosed at 38 in a cultural context where autism was rarely discussed, Amrrita Chopraa found clarity, built new coping strategies, and holds onto optimism about neurodivergent talent.
Colin Murphy
Dyslexia · ADHD
Finding Clarity: Turning a Dyslexia Journey into a Blueprint for Change
After a layoff, Colin Murphy founded Atypical Lean, using lean manufacturing principles to build neuro-inclusive workplaces. His story is one of systems, self-discovery, and sustainable work.
Deborah Shukyn-Plageman
Autism · ADHD · Twice Exceptional
Listening for the Voices We Miss: Deborah’s Journey Through Neurodivergence and Self-Designed Leadership
Diagnosed at 60 with autism and ADHD, Deborah Shukyn-Plageman built PersonaGrata and a leadership philosophy rooted in lived experience, disability justice, and radical listening.
Gillian Forth
Autism
Shifting the Default: Gillian on Disability Justice and Workplace Change
A late-realized autistic woman, Gillian Forth challenges ableism in nonprofit spaces and builds The Low Achiever practice around rest, equity, and neuroinclusion.
Autism
Respecting Limits: Hannelore’s Journey Toward Sustainable Work
After years of shouldering impossible workloads, Hannelore found her footing in a family business where her brother truly listens. Her story is about boundaries, burnout, and the courage to speak up.
Autism · ADHD · Twice Exceptional
Balancing Innovation and Burnout: Jon’s Story
A consultant, innovator, and twice-exceptional professional, Jon Mick spent years burning bright then burning out before a recent diagnosis helped him reframe everything he thought he knew about himself.
Kelly C
Autism · ADHD
From Burnout to Belonging: Kelly’s Journey with Neurodivergence in the Workplace
Misdiagnosed for decades and fired after disclosing her diagnosis, Kelly C finally found a workplace that genuinely champions who she is. Her message: “We are not broken. We are enough.”
Louise Leroy
Autism
“It Was Just Too Much”: Louise’s Journey to Finding a Workplace That Works
After years of jobs lasting only days, Louise Leroy found Passwerk, a company built around autistic professionals. Four years in, she has something she never had before: confidence.
Manshuk Kerey
ADHD
A Diagnosis in Progress: Understanding Begins at Home
When Manshuk Kerey’s son was diagnosed with ADHD, it became a mirror. From Kazakhstan to McGill to founding Phrcert.com, her story is about interest-driven excellence and trust over punishment.
Marisa McClure
ADHD · Dyspraxia · Dyscalculia
“They Finally Saw Me”: Marisa’s Journey with Neurodivergence in the Workplace
Marisa McClure’s neurodivergence was invisible to most workplaces, until one small clinic chose to see her strengths instead of her struggles. That difference changed everything.
Nat Hawley
Autism · Dyspraxia · Dyslexia
Beyond Equality: Nat on Neurodiversity and Equity at Work
Diagnosed early, filtered out repeatedly, Nat Hawley built Divergent Thinking and has delivered 350+ sessions on neuroinclusion. Their vision: workplaces that go beyond equality toward genuine equity.
Autism
From Rigidity to Realization: Paul’s Path as a Late-Diagnosed Autistic Professional
Paul Sherman was 62 when his autism diagnosis finally made sense of a military career, decades as a biomedical engineer, and a lifetime of workplace misunderstandings. Knowing himself changed everything.
Roger Jones
Autism · ADHD
From Burnout to Advocacy for Neuroinclusion: Roger’s Story
After 15 years navigating tech industry workplaces without knowing he was autistic, Roger Jones received his diagnosis and immediately dedicated himself to building more inclusive organizations.
Robert Schmus
Autism · ADHD
Meeting People Where They Are: Robert’s Journey as a Neurodivergent Therapist
Bob Schmus was told to hide his autism diagnosis at a facility serving autistic youth. One week after being fired, he had a better offer. Today, his lived experience is his greatest clinical strength.
Sydney Elaine Butler
Autism · CPTSD
Living Through Passion: Sydney’s Journey Toward Authenticity and Inclusion
After years of masking and advocating in an inclusion department that didn’t extend inclusion to its own staff, Sydney Butler founded Accessible Creates, an HR consultancy rooted in lived experience.
V Garcia
Neurodivergent
V’s Path to Leadership: Courage, Community, and Change
V Garcia experienced outright persecution after disclosing their diagnosis. Today they are a research fellow, advanced leader, and advocate researching what happens when neurodivergent leaders disclose at work.