265: The Role of Workplace Needs Assessments for Neurodivergent Employees

Oct 20, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Cheryl Winter, a neurodiversity coach with rich experience supporting individuals with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism, shares her insights on workplace needs assessments. She highlights the evolution of neurodiversity support since 2011 and emphasizes strengths-based approaches. Cheryl discusses the importance of personalized adjustments for neurodivergent employees and the benefits of proactive support for all staff. She also explores the role of managers in recognizing different processing styles and fostering an inclusive work environment.

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ANECDOTE

Van Driver's Visual Strategy

Cheryl describes a client who regained confidence by using vivid driving visualisations to spell words and later read a whole book to his daughter.
That session was the moment Cheryl realised workplace neurodiversity support was important.

ANECDOTE

Recruitment Interview That Triggered Diagnosis

Kate recalls a recruitment interview that prompted a man to seek a dyslexia diagnosis after managers noticed his visualization strategy for navigation.
The interview opened a life-changing door even though he didn't take the job.

INSIGHT

From Dyslexia To A Tsunami Of Needs

Cheryl describes a shift from dyslexia-only support to a tsunami of ADHD and autism workplace needs assessments.
Growth in assessments drove organizations to formalise training and accredited assessor roles.

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In this informative episode, host Kate Jenkinson sits down with neurodiversity coach and speaker, Cheryl Winter, to explore how the world of hidden disabilities has evolved since 2010 — and what this means for coaches, leaders, and organizations today. Cheryl reflects on her journey since 2011, sharing inspiring client stories and practical strategies for supporting neurodivergent employees. From dyslexia to ADHD and autism, the conversation dives into workplace needs assessments, early strengths identification, and the differences between neurodivergent coaching and neurotypical coaching approaches.

Together, they discuss the changing landscape of neurodiversity support in the workplace, the importance of using a strengths-based approaches and the implications of double empathy. Cheryl talks about some of the sensory challenges for neurodivergent individuals and highlights how empowering managers, training HR professionals, and fostering co-coaching relationships can create workplaces where neurodiversity can work to their talents with better outcomes for all. Whether you're a coach, a leader, or part of an organization seeking to do better, this episode offers both inspiration and practical takeaways for the future of workplace inclusion.

You will learn:

· The benefit of workplace needs assessments and strength-based approaches

· What managers and leaders can do to provide good support for their neurodivergent employees

· Why co-coaching can be transformative for neurodivergent employees and employers

"If organisations invested in getting their HR professionals or their occupational health teams trained in neurodiversity workplace needs assessments, I think individuals would be attended to quicker."

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For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:

https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-neurodiversity-in-workplace-needs-assessments-strength-based