Internships: a great way to start adding neurodiversity
While complete integration may be your company goal, preparing for neurodiverse employees can be done in phases. Often starting with internships can give you company much needed experience in how to best support neurodiverse employees before beginning to add them full time to the team.
Work with your state’s Department of Rehabilitative Services
Workforce Development Programs * often offer summer internships to help integrate neurodiverse students and young adults into the workforce
Get on the WDP list of employers
Meet onsite prior to interns coming on board
Show them the workspace
Set basic expectations
Ask them if there is something you can do to help them be successful
When neurodiverse interns are at work
Have a dedicated mentor to guide them
Give them a checklist to be completed, along with a specific daily timeline, including time for breaks and lunch
Set realistic expectations and timelines
Provide a quiet space for breaks
Provide (or allow) noise cancelling headphones
An internship can be a great way to see if someone will be a good fit full time. It eases both the company and the student/young adult, into the expectations of the work environment and how to navigate it together.
If you are a company seeking to expand neurodiversity in your workspace, but don’t know how to start, I can help. Schedule a virtual coffee today and we can discuss how to partner in making this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved.
If you are neurodiverse and looking for a job, but do not know what resources and tools you might need, I can help. Schedule a free consultation today.
*WDP are often subsidized by the state
