A Call to Action: What is Your Wish for 2025?
Note to Reader: In this article, we shift from personal resolutions to the bigger goal of building an inclusive society for neurodivergent people in 2025. It spotlights barriers in education, healthcare, and employment, while unveiling ND Perspective’s innovative initiatives to drive change. Jess wraps up with a powerful call to action: reflect, take steps, and help create a world where neurodivergent people can truly thrive.
Topic: Neurodiversity inclusion, Barriers for neurodivergent people, ND Perspective services 2025, Neurodivergent support in education, Creating an inclusive workplace
Its a new year and many of us are setting resolutions to prioritise personal well-being, whether it’s starting a new diet, breaking an unhealthy habit, or exercising more. But what if, as well as focusing on changes we want to make in ourselves, we also considered how we can help shape a more inclusive society for neurodivergent people?
Right now, the world can be a difficult place for our neurodivergent communities. Barriers exist across education, healthcare, and employment - driven by inaccessible environments, limited awareness, and inadequate support. In this article, I explore some of the key challenges faced by the neurodivergent community in 2024, highlight the new services ND Perspective is launching in response to these difficulties, and reflect on how we as a community can contribute to building a society throughout 2025 where neurodivergent people are valued, included, and supported to thrive.
Barriers to Education
The UK education system is often rigid and unaccommodating for neurodivergent learners. Standardised teaching methods overlook diverse learning styles, sensory needs, and processing differences, leaving many people feeling unsupported and alienated.
In schools, neurodivergent pupils are frequently punished for behaviours stemming from sensory overwhelm or unmet needs, rather than being guided to understand and manage their responses. This punitive approach erodes confidence and fosters feelings of exclusion. Simple adjustments such as sensory-friendly classrooms, quiet spaces, assistive technology, or tailored learning plans could make a significant difference. Yet, these supports are inconsistently offered and often require relentless advocacy from parents.
Higher education brings its own set of challenges. Neurodivergent students face complex administrative processes, inaccessible teaching methods, and rigid deadlines. While some institutions offer disability services, these are often underfunded and ill-equipped to meet neurodivergent needs. Many students are left to navigate these overwhelming systems alone, placing both their academic success and well-being at risk.
Healthcare Failings
The UK healthcare system also falls short in meeting the needs of neurodivergent people. Many medical professionals lack training in neurodiversity, leading to misdiagnoses, inadequate care, or failure to recognise neurodivergence altogether. Autistic women and nonbinary people are particularly affected, as diagnostic criteria have historically been centred on male presentations.
Securing a diagnosis is another major hurdle. Long NHS waiting lists, underfunded mental health services, and persistent misconceptions about neurodivergence prevent many from accessing essential support. Private assessments, while available, remain prohibitively expensive, exacerbating inequalities. Even after diagnosis, support often focuses narrowly on managing “symptoms” instead of addressing broader needs like sensory sensitivities or executive functioning challenges. This one-size-fits-all approach leaves many without meaningful interventions that could help them thrive.
Employment & Missed Opportunities
Workplaces should be places of purpose, growth, and empowerment. Instead, for many neurodivergent people, they are sources of stress and exclusion. Recruitment processes often create the first hurdle, with online forms, competency-based interviews, and CV screenings favouring traditional communication styles over actual ability. These systems frequently overlook the unique strengths neurodivergent people bring, such as innovative thinking and creative problem-solving.
Even after securing employment, many find workplace cultures disregard their needs. Open-plan offices, rigid schedules, and unspoken social norms amplify sensory challenges and feelings of isolation. Without adjustments like clear communication, quiet workspaces, or flexible arrangements, neurodivergent employees are often left struggling to reach their potential.
The result? - High rates of unemployment and underemployment. Yet, with the right support, neurodivergent employees can excel, offering fresh perspectives, creativity, and innovation that enrich workplaces and drive success.
What We Have Planned at ND Perspective in 2025
At ND Perspective, we have designed our services in response to the current challenges our ND communities face. As an organisation we are committed to breaking down the barriers neurodivergent people face to inform impactful change:
Through our online community, you can join a truly inclusive space of over 880 neurodivergent people, supporters, and employers where you can connect, share insights, collaborate, and work together to dismantle barriers and drive change (new memberships launch 13th January 2025).
Our engaging well-being webinars provide practical strategies to help balance work, home, and self-care, all while celebrating the richness of neurodivergent experiences.
Our tailored post-diagnostic service supports newly identified neurodivergent adults to explore their strengths, develop regulation strategies, and navigate life with confidence.
To ease workplace transitions, we simplify Access to Work applications with personalised support packages, ensuring neurodivergent employees receive the adjustments they need to succeed during times of transition such as moving from education or unemployment to the workplace (available from Spring 2025).
Our bespoke training and consultancy services span education and the workplace, raising awareness of neurodiversity and equipping schools, colleges, universities and organisations with the tools to support neurodivergent people throughout their lives.
A Call for Action – Change is Needed!
When systems exclude neurodivergent people, society as a whole misses out on their unique perspectives and contributions. It’s time to move beyond exclusionary practices and create systems that embrace diversity. As we step into the new year, let’s reflect:
What one change would you like to see for yourself as a neurodivergent person in 2025?
What changes are needed across education, healthcare and work so that neurodivergent people feel welcomed, valued, and empowered?
This year let’s commit to fostering understanding, breaking down barriers, and building a society where everyone can thrive.
Supporting and Celebrating our Neurodivergent Community,
Jess xx