In today's diverse work environments, neurodivergent employees often face difficult daily workplace challenges. Misunderstandings, biases, and sensory overload can turn the workplace into a challenging nightmare that is difficult if not impossible at times to navigate. Many of us are silently battling these challenges that others never see—and often don’t understand.
Here are just a few of the daily realities we rarely talk about:
Masking to Fit In
Many neurodivergent employees spend a huge amount of energy “masking“—or hiding their traits to appear more neurotypical. This might look like forcing eye contact, mimicking communication styles, or suppressing stimming behaviors. It's mentally exhausting and leads to burnout much faster than many realize. There are also challenges with boundaries for neurodivergent people in the workplace. We often have to resort to people-pleasing in a desperate attempt to fit in and avoid confrontation. I too am very guilty of this. It just seemed the easier way to do things. I just accepted what was and tried to make it through each day.
Sensory Overload Is Real
Most workplaces weren’t built with sensory needs in mind. Harsh fluorescent lights, noisy open office layouts, and even strong scents can be overwhelming. For someone who's hypersensitive to stimuli, a typical workday can feel like sensory warfare that becomes unbearable and makes focus and productivity a daily battle. When I hit 40, I started really struggling with sensory issues, but at the time didn't know I had sensory issues.
Not until I hit full on burnout which eventually lead to a mental breakdown and leaving my career. It was a blessing in disguise though. I found out I was in perimenopause and it was making all the issues I had masked my entire life ( I also didn't know about masking at the time) so bad that it was impossible to continue to live that way. So I got help and have gotten to know this new me and life is so much better.
Invisible Exhaustion
Masking, overcompensating, and trying to meet neurotypical standards is draining. Many neurodivergent people leave work with zero energy left—not because we did less, but because we had to work twice as hard to appear “normal.” This level of emotional and cognitive labor leads to chronic burnout and a deep sense of isolation and often misery.
Misunderstood Communication Styles
Neurodivergent employees often communicate in direct, literal, or nonlinear ways. This can lead to misunderstandings or being unfairly labeled as “difficult,” “awkward,” or “not a team player.” The real problem? Most workplaces still expect neurodiverse individuals to do the adapting, not the other way around. It's hard as us neurodivergent employees in the workplace often have to attempt to adapting to things we just don't understand.
For example when asked why something didn't get done on time I would explain why then get told it was an excuse. Like then why am I being asked then….so weird. Or I will ask why things are done this way then get treated like I am being difficult. My brain needs to know the reason so it can process and I can then do the thing being asked of me.
Executive Dysfunction, Not Laziness
Tasks like organizing emails, following up, or switching between assignments can be particularly tough for many neurodivergent employees.The most important thing about Executive dysfunction is it is not laziness—it’s a neurological barrier. Many of us battle perfectionism and procrastination in a constant loop, not because we don’t care, but because our brains are wired to just function differently which is totally OK even if others make us feel like it isn't . Without support, this leads to missed deadlines, lost confidence, and eventually… burnout (and often quitting).
Insufficient Safe Spaces or Support
Many neurodivergent employees don’t feel safe disclosing their needs for fear of judgment or discrimination. This leads to people struggling in silence, afraid to ask for reasonable accommodations that could actually improve their productivity and well-being.
Lack of Understanding = Lost Potential
Too many workplaces fail to recognize the incredible value neurodivergent minds bring. Creativity, hyperfocus, problem-solving—these are assets neurodivergent employees possess that could really shine IF supported. But when companies refuse to offer flexibility, ignore accommodation requests, or micromanage remote workers, we’re forced to either mask or leave.
Believe me I masked HARD every day but when life changes hit, it became utterly impossible to continue as I had my entire life. With the constant micromanaging and feeling as if I would never be enough, I had to make the difficult decision to leave and find other ways to use my skills, Fortunately I was able to use the skills I had acquired from my time in veterinary medicine to transition into pet sitting.
I also started this website as a way to reach out and help others like me (and it is an awesome creative outlet as I figure myself out). If anything just for someone to not feel alone because geez it is hard trying to navigate everything. Really hard when I lived my entire life one way, totally disregarding who I really was because that is what I was lead to believe was what I was supposed to be doing and nothing else mattered just get it done and live I guess. Still unpacking it all a few years later.
It's Time for Change
Creating a neurodivergent-friendly workplace isn’t just about accessibility—it’s about inclusion. That means offering flexibility, rethinking communication norms, and making room for different ways of thinking, processing, and contributing.
Neurodivergent employees bring incredible creativity, problem-solving skills, and unique insights—but only if we are allowed to show up as our full selves. It's important (and about time) to move beyond stereotypes and provide an inclusive space where diverse minds can thrive without bias. Are we evaluating talent based on genuine ability or just fitting into a perceived norm (this part)?
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