Neurodiversity and Human Resource Management: Employer Challenges for Applicants and Employees with Learning Disabilities

Neurodiversity is a term that evolved from the advocacy movement on behalf of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and has been embraced by other groups of individuals with neurologically based disabilities (e.g., learning disabilities; LDs). It suggests that these disabilities are a natural variation in brain differences and that the workplace should adapt to them. This article examines challenges for human resource management posed by such adaptations for individuals with LD. These challenges include fairness in selection, access to training and learning, and career development activities. The implications of preparing neurodiverse employees, especially those with LDs, for increasingly technological and information-driven jobs are considered.