THE LATEST INSIGHTS

RESEARCH THAT SPARKS CONVERSATION

Stay up to date with fresh thinking, new discoveries, and bold ideas. This section brings together curated articles, groundbreaking studies, and thought-provoking pieces from across the web and beyond. Whether you’re a curious mind or a lifelong learner, there’s always something here to explore.

Autism Research
Neuro Inclusivity
ADHD

What is the Research Saying…. about Neuroinclusivity?

Based on interviews with neurodivergent adults, this study identified key workplace stressors (like cognitive overload, masking, and unclear expectations) and supports (like autonomy, sensory accommodations, and inclusive leadership). The authors argue that neurodivergent inclusion improves both wellbeing and workplace performance — and that tailored resources, not just generic support, are crucial for success.

APA citation:
Koenders, C., & Lostakova, N. (2025). Navigating Job Demands and Resources: Experiences of Neurodivergent Employees in the Workplace [Master’s thesis, Dalarna University]

Austin, R. D., & Pisano, G. P. (2017). Neurodiversity as a competitive advantage. Harvard Business Review, 95(3), 96–103.

Barkley, R. A. (1997). Behavioral inhibition, sustained attention, and executive functions: Constructing a unifying theory of ADHD. Psychological Bulletin, 121(1), 65–94.

Barkley, R. A. (2012). Executive functions: What they are, how they work, and why they evolved. Guilford Press.

Brown, T. E. (2009). ADHD comorbidities: Handbook for ADHD complications in children and adults. American Psychiatric Publishing.

Bruyère, S.M., Colella, A. (2024). Workplace Accommodations and Neurodiversity. In: Patton, E., Santuzzi, A.M. (eds) Neurodiversity and Work. Palgrave Studies in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenization in Business. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.

Hendricks, D. (2010). Employment and adults with autism spectrum disorders: Challenges and strategies for success. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 32(2), 125–134. https://lnkd.in/g7fdEnV5

Sarkis E. (2014). Addressing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the workplace. Postgraduate medicine, 126(5), 25–30.

Krzeminska, A., Austin, R., Bruyère, S. M., & Hedley, D. (2019). The advantages and challenges of neurodiversity employment in organizations. Journal of Management & Organization, 25(4), 453–463.

Russell, G., Kapp, S. K., Elliott, D., Elphick, C., Gwernan-Jones, R., & Owens, C. (2019). Mapping the autistic advantage from the accounts of adults diagnosed with autism: A qualitative study. Autism in Adulthood, 1(2), 124–133.

Vargas-Salas O, Alcazar-Gonzales JC, Fernández-Fernández FA, Molina-Rodríguez FN, Paredes-Velazco R, Carcausto-Zea ML. Neurodivergence and the Workplace: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. 2025;63(1):83-94

This dissertation argues that cognitive diversity — including neurodivergence — is an untapped resource in most workplaces. Drawing from interviews and corporate practices, it calls for redesigning talent systems to remove invisible barriers, support self-identification, and promote psychological safety. Neuroinclusion is framed not just as equity, but as a long-term strategy for innovation and performance.

APA citation:
Varadarajan Senthiil, M. (2025). Neuroinclusion in the Workplace: Leveraging the Power of Cognitive Diversity as a Competitive Advantage (Doctoral dissertation, Pace University)

This conference paper explores how AI technologies can be used to support — or harm — neurodivergent employees. The author calls for AI systems to be designed with neuroinclusion in mind, particularly in recruitment, communication, and workplace flexibility. It’s a call to embed neurodiversity principles into digital transformation efforts from the start.

APA citation:
Papalexandris, N. (2025). Diversity and Inclusion: AI’s Role in Managing Neurodiversity. In G. Prastacos et al. (Eds.), LMDE 2025: Leading & Managing in the Digital Era. Athens University of Economics and Business.

What is the Research Saying…. about Autism

This large-scale study identified four distinct “types” of autism based on symptoms and co-occurring conditions. It found that each type is linked to unique genetic profiles — some inherited, some not — and that around 80% of autistic traits are strongly heritable. The study also showed that the genes involved affect brain development at different stages, helping explain the wide range of autistic experiences.

APA citation:
Litman, A., Sauerwald, N., Snyder, L. G., Foss-Feig, J., Park, C. Y., Hao, Y., Dinstein, I., Theesfeld, C. L., & Troyanskaya, O. G. (2025). Decomposition of phenotypic heterogeneity in autism reveals underlying genetic programs. Nature Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02224-z

This systematic review of 420 studies found there’s no consistent age for what counts as a “late” autism diagnosis — with thresholds ranging from age 2 to 55. However, the average “late diagnosis” age was about 11.5 years. Factors influencing late diagnosis included gender, location, access to services, and research methods. The paper highlights how social, cultural, and systemic barriers contribute to many autistic people being missed until later in life.

APA citation:
Russell, A. S., McFayden, T. C., McAllister, M., Liles, K., Bittner, S., Strang, J. F., & Harrop, C. (2024). Who, when, where, and why: A systematic review of “late diagnosis” in autism. Autism Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3278

This study explored how similarities between parents and children in autism and ADHD traits affect the child’s well-being. Children whose traits closely matched their parent’s (especially the mother) tended to show better social and emotional development by age 3. This suggests that shared neurodivergent traits in families can create a more supportive environment and may be protective in early childhood.

Wechsler, D. L., Jones, E. J. H., Pasco, G., Bazelmans, T., Begum-Ali, J., Johnson, M. H., & Charman, T. (2025). Parent–child similarity on autism and ADHD traits and children’s social functioning and psychological well‐being at 3 years. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.70014