Neurodiversity Training for Line Managers
Practical, jargon-free training for managers and HR professionals who want to support neurodivergent employees with confidence. You don’t need a clinical background to get this right, but most managers have never had any training on what actually helps.
Our sessions give you knowledge you can use straight away, from day-to-day management through to recruitment, performance and inclusive communication.
What is neurodiversity?
Around 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent, so a similar proportion of your workforce is too. Supporting them well isn’t complicated, but it does take the right knowledge.
Neurodiversity describes the natural differences in how our brains process information. You can’t tell whether someone is neurodivergent by looking at them, and two people with the same diagnosis can have very different needs.
Most of the barriers neurodivergent employees face aren’t caused by their neurodivergence. They come from environments, processes and communication styles that don’t account for different ways of working.
Common types of neurodivergence
- Autism: differences in social communication and sensory processing
- ADHD: differences in attention regulation and executive function
- Dyslexia: differences in reading, writing and processing information
- Dyspraxia: differences in coordination and planning
- Dyscalculia: differences in working with numbers
Book your place on our next neurodiversity training session
Common challenges, and what actually helps
Communication barriers
Implied expectations and ‘reading between the lines’ create confusion and anxiety. What helps: be explicit and specific, put important information in writing, and allow thinking time, as not everyone processes on the spot.
Sensory overload
Open-plan offices, harsh lighting and background noise can be overwhelming. What helps: quiet spaces, noise-cancelling headphones, flexible working locations and permission to take breaks.
Time management
Executive-function differences make prioritising and organising genuinely difficult. It isn’t laziness. What helps: clear deadlines with notice, breaking work into defined tasks, regular check-ins, and flexibility around focused work time.
Social expectations
Unwritten office rules and mandatory small talk can be exhausting. What helps: make social events optional rather than expected, give advance notice of the format and duration, and offer other ways to contribute.
Performance management
Traditional metrics may not capture someone’s value, or may penalise a different working style. What helps: focus on outcomes rather than methods, give regular and specific feedback, and set clear, measurable objectives.
Remember: what helps neurodivergent employees almost always helps everyone. Clearer communication, better-structured meetings and explicit expectations benefit your whole team.
Why train with Occupational Health Consultancy
Our training is delivered by experienced occupational health professionals who support neurodivergent employees every day, so it stays practical and grounded in real workplaces.
This isn’t just training. It’s the knowledge and confidence to create a workplace where everyone can do their best work.
What sets us apart
- 30 years’ occupational health experience
- SEQOHS accredited
- Practical, not academic: we know which adjustments work and where organisations get stuck
- Ongoing support beyond the session: management referrals, workplace assessments and specialist neurodiversity assessments
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Frequently Asked Questions
When do these training sessions take place?
We run sessions periodically through the year rather than to a fixed monthly schedule.
If upcoming dates aren’t listed, you can register your interest to be notified when new dates open, contact us about availability, or ask about in-house delivery.
Email training@occupationalhealthltd.co.uk or call 023 8047 5000.
I've never dealt with neurodiversity before. Is this for me?
Perfect, that’s exactly who it’s for. We start from the foundations and build practical skills throughout, so no prior knowledge is needed. You’ll leave understanding the basics of neurodiversity and, more importantly, what to actually do day to day.
Is this just about ticking compliance boxes?
No. Understanding your legal obligations is part of it, but the aim is genuinely better ways of working: stronger retention, better performance and a more inclusive culture. Compliance is the baseline, and we’re aiming higher than that.
Will this tell me how to 'fix' neurodivergent employees?
There’s nothing to fix. The training is about removing barriers and creating an environment where neurodivergent employees can show what they’re capable of.
More often than not, the barrier is the process or environment, not the person.
Someone in my team may be neurodivergent but hasn't disclosed. Does this still help?
Yes. The strategies you’ll learn help everyone, not only employees who’ve disclosed a diagnosis. Clear communication, flexible working and supportive management benefit your whole team, so you don’t need anyone to disclose for the training to be worthwhile.
Can I bring specific situations from my workplace?
Absolutely. The training is most valuable when it tackles real challenges, so we encourage you to bring genuine, appropriately anonymised scenarios from your workplace for discussion.
How do I book multiple people or arrange in-house training?
You can book multiple places through our Eventbrite page, or contact us directly for group bookings. We also deliver in-house and bespoke sessions for larger groups.
Email training@occupationalhealthltd.co.uk or call 023 8047 5000.
What if we need more than training?
When you need more than training, we can help with management referrals, workplace assessments and access to specialist neurodiversity assessments through our partners, plus ongoing occupational health support as needs change.
Talk to us about the right mix for your organisation.
Beyond training: specialist neurodiversity support
When you need more than training, we can help with:
- Management referrals: expert assessment and workplace adjustment recommendations
- Workplace assessments: identifying barriers and practical solutions
- Specialist neurodiversity assessments: diagnostic and workplace-needs assessments through our partners
- Ongoing support: regular review as needs change
Ready to build your knowledge and confidence?
Whether you’re just starting to think about neurodiversity or strengthening what you already do,
this training gives you practical tools to create a genuinely inclusive workplace.
Talk to us about upcoming dates, group bookings or in-house delivery for your team.
