How Corporate Organisations Can Empower Colleagues Through Neurodiversity Awareness: A Blueprint for Other Forward-Thinking Organisations

Introduction
For organisations committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I), raising awareness about neurodivergence isn’t just about ticking a box – it’s about creating meaningful support systems that empower their people. Energy company EDF, recognised this when they recently contacted me to help them take proactive steps to support their people around neurodivergence.

It started with a simple yet powerful tool: my Neuro Cards. After purchasing 200 packs for their Nuclear Operations Business to use as a resource for allyship, education, and personal exploration, they saw the potential for a deeper impact via their EDF UK Neurodiversity network, which launched in September 2023. They’ve since mobilised the Neuro card packs via their network, with positive impact for their people.

As a Neurodiversity network, they also reached out to me to deliver a bespoke workshop that would help their colleagues navigate the challenges of raising neurodivergent children – an area they felt was important to address – in partnership with EDF UK’s Working Parents and Carers and Accessibility networks, due to this being a pertinent topic, across all of the networks.

 

Here’s how we collaborated to deliver lasting value for EDF’s people:

Mobilising the Neuro Cards to help foster understanding through non-stigmatising, supportive methods. The Neuro Cards aligned to one of the Neurodiversity network’s key aims – that of educating and empowering its people on the topic of neurodivergence and what really means for neurodivergent colleagues.

Why the Neuro Cards Were Key
EDF’s initial purchase of 200 Neuro Card packs for their line managers proved to be a pivotal step in their journey. The cards which explore neurodivergent traits and experiences are being used to:

• • Educate staff and support allyship by helping managers understand the lived experiences of neurodivergent employees.

• • Facilitate meaningful conversations between team members and managers to build self-awareness and communicate needs.

• • Build broader awareness of neurodivergence  across teams.

• • Generate interest and spark discussion among the Senior Leadership Team in important organisational events.

The cards’ focus on practical, non-stigmatising tools set the tone for the subsequent workshop, reflecting EDF’s commitment to inclusion and understanding. This also allowed a familiarity with Newglade’s ethos of providing neurodivergent affirming practice.

My Neuro Cards resonated with the Neurodiversity Network’s vision, leading them to approach me to deliver a workshop tailored to their needs.

The Workshop – What We Delivered

Using my experience as a neurodivergent therapist, I designed an online workshop that addressed the key concerns of parents / carers while aligning with EDF UK’s wider network objectives.
The session included:

• • Understanding neurodivergence in children, including common traits and challenges.

• • Navigating the assessment process, with practical advice for securing diagnoses and support such as EHCPs (Education, Health & Care Plans)

• • Strategies for home and school, helping parents/carers advocate effectively and manage day-to-day challenges.

• • A live Q&A session, giving participants the chance to share personal experiences and ask specific questions around neurodivergence, education and the struggles parents/carers face, to access appropriate support.

The workshop was recorded, paired with a detailed FAQ document, and uploaded to EDF’s intranet, ensuring the resource could be accessed beyond the event itself.

Impact and Feedback

The Neuro cards have been used widely across EDF teams and have been well received.

“The Neuro cards have been pivotal in framing a meaningful conversation with my line manager about my own neurodivergence and what that really means for me. The cards support me in articulating my own neurodivergent ‘profile’ in an easy-to understand way and talk about what that means for me in practice.”

Feedback from the workshop itself was also very positive. The workshop not only provided tangible strategies for employees managing complex work-life dynamics but also offered a valuable space for staff to reflect on their own experiences, ask questions, and feel supported in a safe, inclusive environment. One participant shared,

“This was the best hour I’ve spent on myself in a long time,”

highlighting how valuable the session was for employees balancing work and family life.

EDF’s decision to make the session accessible to all UK colleagues demonstrates their dedication to embedding neurodiversity awareness and inclusion across the organisation. This initiative not only supports parents and carers but also contributes to a more inclusive workplace culture, creating lasting impact across the organisation.

A Blueprint for Other Organisations

EDF’s approach shows how simple steps – like providing managers with the right tools and tailored training – can make a huge difference in supporting neurodivergent colleagues. If your organisation is looking to bridge gaps in neurodiversity awareness or create meaningful ED&I initiatives, I can help. From practical resources like my Neuro Cards to bespoke workshops or tailored support, we can create something impactful together.

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Amy is the founder and lead counsellor at Newglade. Newglade provides a range of specialist neurodivergent services including in person and online counselling, parent support, bespoke neurodiversity training and therapist support/supervision. Amy is also the creator of Neuro Cards© – a unique tool to explore neurodivergent traits and experiences. Please contact us for more information.