Tips and ToolS for Employee Retention

"Hailey continues to amaze me and she continues to grow. The way that Hailey self advocates for herself is that she will check with us for accuracy in the execution of her work as well as completeness of her work. "
Regina Noble, Owner - Noble Delights Bakery

Tips and Tools

When communicating with a neurodivergent employee, here are some tried and tested tips for successful and meaningful conversations.

• Use a normal tone of voice—do not raise your voice unless asked to

• Be polite and patient—do not rush the conversation

• Speak directly to the person rather than the person with them

• Ask the person what will help with communication—there are different ways to communicate

• Don't pretend to understand—let the person know you are having difficulty; try asking yes or no questions

• Be flexible—reword rather than repeat anything that is not understood

• Only refer to the person's disability if necessary or relevant

• Offer assistance if it appears necessary, but respect the person's wishes if they don't accept your offer

• Avoid saying anything that implies the person with disability is superhuman, courageous or special

• Relax—everyone makes mistakes; apologize if you believe you have embarrassed someone.

©https://www.qld.gov.au/disability/community/communicating