The ROI of Neuroinclusion With Keivan Stassun

With special guest, Keivan Stassun

This episode of the Allyship in Action Podcast with Julie Kratz features Keivan Stassun, an astrophysicist and the founding director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt School of Engineering. Stassun shares his personal story as the father of an autistic son, which inspired him to create a Center focused on leveraging the strengths of neurodiverse individuals in science and engineering. This discussion covers the benefits of neurodiverse teams, the importance of workplace accommodations, and innovative models for employing autistic adults.

The ROI when you focus on Neuroinclusion

Key Takeaways

Neurodiversity drives innovation and strengthens teams: Keivan’s experience in astrophysics, particularly the groundbreaking discovery made by his neurodiverse team, powerfully illustrates how embracing different cognitive styles leads to novel problem-solving and enhanced outcomes. Clear communication, beneficial for everyone, becomes essential in neurodiverse teams, ultimately making the entire team more effective.
Support for autistic individuals needs to extend into adulthood: While significant progress has been made in early intervention for autism, there’s a critical need for increased focus and investment in supporting autistic adults in higher education and the workforce. This includes providing appropriate accommodations, fostering inclusive environments, and recognizing the unique strengths and contributions of this community.
Creating inclusive opportunities benefits both individuals and organizations: Models like The Precisionists Inc. (TPI) demonstrate that tailored support and understanding of neurodivergent needs can lead to high-quality work, increased employee loyalty, and reduced errors. By shifting perspectives and implementing practical accommodations, businesses can tap into a valuable talent pool and achieve tangible benefits.

Key Quotes

“I’m absolutely convinced that new discoveries and innovations happen because the team invited and included and supported the full diversity of thought.”
“There has been so much less investment has been autistic people who are over 18 years old where people spend the majority of their lives in adulthood.”

Actionable Allyship Takeaway:

Recognize and actively leverage the unique strengths and talents of neurodiverse individuals while also providing necessary support and accommodations. Keivan emphasizes that focusing on both the support needs and the strengths of autistic individuals is crucial. He provides examples of how companies can benefit from the talents of neurodiverse employees (e.g., employee loyalty, attention to detail) while also highlighting the importance of providing appropriate accommodations to ensure their success.

Find Keivan at https://my.vanderbilt.edu/kstassun/ and find Julie at https://www.nextpivotpoint.com/

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This post was previously published on Next Pivot Point.

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