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'I Can Finally Excel as Myself': Exploring an Employment Programme for Neurodivergent Adults

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Title: 'I Can Finally Excel as Myself': Exploring an Employment Programme for Neurodivergent Adults
Language: English
Authors: Debra Costley (ORCID 0000-0001-9824-8853)
Source: Research in Post-Compulsory Education. 2025 30(2):429-447.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Adults, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Employment Programs, Supported Employment, Program Effectiveness, Foreign Countries, Universities, Job Placement
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (England)
DOI: 10.1080/13596748.2025.2502258
ISSN: 1359-6748
1747-5112
Abstract: Neurodivergent adults are often unemployed, underemployed or in short term precarious employment. Despite having a lot to contribute to the workplace, neurodivergent people find the current human resource (HR) practices of most organisations difficult to navigate. Managers and co-workers do not always know how to accommodate and support neurodivergence, which can lead to unsatisfactory experiences for both parties. The NEO (Neurodiverse Employment Opportunities) programme set out to test the concept of supported 'real work' opportunities for neurodivergent adults, not in full-time education or employment. The eighteen-month pilot has offered opportunities to thirteen adults. The NEO programme has been successful. It has achieved its objectives including number of recruits. A supportive recruitment process has been developed, which enabled all current participants to engage with the programme and to take up opportunities they would not otherwise encounter. Qualitative interviews indicate that for many participants, they have been able to achieve work experiences and personal development that they did not think possible. The research with stakeholders illustrated how the NEO programme enriched the teams supporting NEO employees, whilst offering the opportunity to thrive being themselves to neurodivergent adults. This enabled us to develop guidance for employers and recommendations for the university.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1475644
Database: ERIC
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  Data: 'I Can Finally Excel as Myself': Exploring an Employment Programme for Neurodivergent Adults
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Debra+Costley%22">Debra Costley</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9824-8853">0000-0001-9824-8853</externalLink>)
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adults%22">Adults</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Neurodevelopmental+Disorders%22">Neurodevelopmental Disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employment+Programs%22">Employment Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Supported+Employment%22">Supported Employment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Universities%22">Universities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Job+Placement%22">Job Placement</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/13596748.2025.2502258
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  Data: Neurodivergent adults are often unemployed, underemployed or in short term precarious employment. Despite having a lot to contribute to the workplace, neurodivergent people find the current human resource (HR) practices of most organisations difficult to navigate. Managers and co-workers do not always know how to accommodate and support neurodivergence, which can lead to unsatisfactory experiences for both parties. The NEO (Neurodiverse Employment Opportunities) programme set out to test the concept of supported 'real work' opportunities for neurodivergent adults, not in full-time education or employment. The eighteen-month pilot has offered opportunities to thirteen adults. The NEO programme has been successful. It has achieved its objectives including number of recruits. A supportive recruitment process has been developed, which enabled all current participants to engage with the programme and to take up opportunities they would not otherwise encounter. Qualitative interviews indicate that for many participants, they have been able to achieve work experiences and personal development that they did not think possible. The research with stakeholders illustrated how the NEO programme enriched the teams supporting NEO employees, whilst offering the opportunity to thrive being themselves to neurodivergent adults. This enabled us to develop guidance for employers and recommendations for the university.
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        Value: 10.1080/13596748.2025.2502258
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 429
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Adults
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Neurodevelopmental Disorders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Employment Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Supported Employment
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      – SubjectFull: Program Effectiveness
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Universities
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      – SubjectFull: Job Placement
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      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom (England)
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      – TitleFull: 'I Can Finally Excel as Myself': Exploring an Employment Programme for Neurodivergent Adults
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