B5: A Practical Guide to Safety and Health Implications for Neurodiverse Workers

Kansas City Convention Center 

Room: 3501 A 

CM Credit Hours: 1 

Over the past several years organizations have sought to become more inclusive across many dimensions. One dimension that has a profound potential impact on safety & health is neurodivergent individuals (e.g, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc.). Studies indicate that 15-20% of the current workforce is neurodiverse making this topic an essential one for S&H professionals. The session will delve into how accommodating neurodivergent employees can impact initiatives such as Serious Injury & Fatality (SIF) prevention and Human Organizational Performance (HOP) strategies. This session will provide strategies for making safety programs and practices more neurodiverse friendly, inclusive, adaptable, and effective. Attendees will discover how small adjustments in communication, training, and work environments can lead to big improvements in both safety outcomes and employee well-being, including strategies for addressing cognitive overload, implementing modular training, developing simplified communication, and creating sensory-friendly workspaces.

Upon completion, the participant will be able to:

• Discuss the role neurodiversity plays in safety and health.
• Integrate neurodiversity into SIF prevention and HOP strategies.
• Use practical examples to enhance neurodiverse inclusion.  

Intermediate

Q&A

Corporation/Company

All Industries

Construction

Manufacturing

Available as part of AIHA Connect OnDemand

Risk Assessment and Management

Safety

Total Worker Health®