Neurodiversity and Wave Staffing

Implementing Neurodivergent Communication with Wave staff.

Introduction

Our commitment to inclusivity and community engagement drives us to continually improve how we communicate with our team.

We have been working with the excellent - Neur-D - Sarah Tancell to recognise the diverse ways our staff process information, and we’ve redesigned our monthly staff email to be more engaging and neurodivergent-friendly by including relevant images, reducing paragraph density, and adding a clear content listing.

Why Neurodivergent Communication Matters

Neurodiversity refers to the natural variations in how people’s brains function, encompassing conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Embracing neurodivergent communication means recognising these differences as strengths and ensuring everyone can access, understand, and engage with company updates.

Key Principles of Neurodivergent-Friendly Communication

1. Clarity and Simplicity

• We use plain, literal language and avoid jargon or idioms, as figurative language can be confusing or alienating for neurodivergent individuals.

• We break information into short paragraphs and bullet points to reduce cognitive load and visual fatigue.

• We summarise key points at the start of the email, followed by clear, actionable instructions

  
  

2. Logical Structure and Content Listing

• We begin each email with a content listing or summary to help staff anticipate what’s included and navigate easily.

• We use headings and subheadings to organise sections logically, making it easier to scan and find relevant information

  
  

3. Visual Engagement

• We incorporate relevant images alongside text to reinforce key messages and cater to visual learners.

• We ensure images are directly related to the topic discussed and avoid overwhelming designs or bright, distracting colours.

  
  

4. Accessibility

• We choose accessible fonts (e.g., Arial) and plain backgrounds to support staff with dyslexia or visual processing differences.

• We avoid dense blocks of text and use adequate spacing between sections.

  
  

5. Directness and Explicitness

• We state expectations clearly—if a response is needed, we specify when and how to reply.

• We avoid implied meanings or subtle cues, as these can create anxiety or confusion for neurodivergent staff.

6. Feedback and Continuous Improvement

• We encourage staff to share their communication preferences and provide feedback on what works for them.

• We adapt communication strategies based on ongoing input to ensure all voices are heard and valued throughout the business.

How Wave Staffing has enhanced it's monthly email

Change Implemented	Neurodivergent Benefit
Content listing at the top	Helps staff anticipate and navigate topics easily
Relevant images per topic	Reinforces key messages and aids visual comprehension
Shorter paragraphs & bullet points	Reduces overwhelm and improves readability
Logical section headings	Supports scanning and information retrieval
Clear, direct instructions	Minimizes ambiguity and stress.

Conclusion

By embracing neurodivergent communication practices, we not only support the well-being and engagement of our staff but also foster a culture of acceptance, innovation, and mutual respect.

Our updated monthly email is just one step towards ensuring every staff member feels valued and included—no matter how they process information.

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