Neurodiversity is bigger than autism and ADHD, and awareness alone is not the same thing as inclusion.

In this episode, Callie and Jayne kick off Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026 by unpacking what neurodiversity actually means, why it is a social identity rather than a medical label, and why so many workplace conversations still flatten it into stereotypes, checklists, and entry-level training.

They talk about the problem with ‘autism and others’ thinking, why resist the list matters, and what happens when organisations say all the right things but their systems, culture, and leadership behaviours do not actually change.

They also answer a listener question about the difference between awareness and real inclusion in practice, exploring microaggressions, assigning intent, conflicting needs between neurodivergent people, and how to tell whether a workplace is genuinely trying to improve.

This one is part celebration, part side-eye, and part practical reality check.

In this episode

• what neurodiversity actually means
• why it is bigger than autism and ADHD
• why awareness without systems change falls flat
• resist the list: the problem with stereotypes and trait checklists
• how to tell whether a workplace is truly inclusive
• microaggressions, intent, repair, and real progress
• a quick look at the WILDly Neuro-inclusive Awards

Timestamps

00:11 Welcome and Neurodiversity Celebration Week begins

01:40 What this episode is really about: awareness vs inclusion

02:03 Neurodiversity is bigger than autism and ADHD

02:42 Neurodiversity as a social identity, not a medical term

05:24 Why the numbers are likely bigger than reported

05:53 DCA and AMAZE’s Neurodiversity at Work Guide

08:08 Diagnosis, identity, and barriers to being recognised

08:46 The problem with ‘autism and others’ training

10:04 Resist the List and why stereotypes are harmful

11:24 Why entry-level training misses too many neurodivergent adults

12:39 Perimenopause, nervous systems, and the broader neurodiversity conversation

17:22 Listener question: awareness vs real inclusion at work

19:24 Why systems, processes, and leadership matter

21:22 What happens when neurodivergent needs clash

22:34 Pain, perfection, and the pressure for workplaces to get it right

23:48 Assigning intent and stepping back from the moment

24:24 Microaggressions, trauma lenses, and ‘micro receivings’

25:42 Don’t let perfection get in the way of progress

26:01 What genuine effort actually looks like

27:37 Acknowledging mistakes, correcting, and moving on

29:47 Launching the WILDly Neuro-inclusive Awards

31:22 Hope, frustration, and the future of neuroinclusion

32:35 Follow, subscribe, and send us your ADHD tax stories

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