Dear Readers,
As we come to the end of April, and the final post for Autism Awareness Month, it is now time for us to think about how we can support individuals on the autism spectrum, not just through April, but through the whole year. On Thursday, I was invited to attend a special event at Goldman Sachs in London, a world-renowned global investment management and financial services firm, to find out the challenges that people face in school and in the workplace, and what we can do to help them.
To mark Autism Awareness Month, Goldman Sachs brought together over 600 people for a discussion and networking event on the topic of neurodiversity and inclusion. We were welcomed by Richard Gnodde, CEO of Goldman Sachs International, who opened the event with the words “We think diversity is an asset”. The panels brought together experts in the fields of education and business, focusing on ways that we can all take action, instead of just talking about the theme of inclusion and diversity. It was clear that people with neurodiversity need support throughout their lives, starting with the education system then moving into the workplace.
Some of the topics covered were education, local authority support systems, design of the workplace environment and interview techniques, along with many others which I hope to cover over the coming weeks. A key theme of the conference, which several panelists highlighted, was that people who think differently can bring different skills to the table, which generates significant advantages in school and workplace settings.
I particularly enjoyed talking with other attendees after the conference. Meeting others who build networks and support one another is really important, especially for people who are still working to build solutions, so I was grateful to have the opportunity to tell my own story and help others who could relate. One attendee that I talked to is in the process of setting up a business to help neurodivergent people get into work. But not just any job, an aspirational job. Individuals should feel motivated when they’re working, and this comes from being in a setting where you can be your true self and your abilities are acknowledged and put to good use.
Events like these are important catalysts for change and show that a real difference is starting to be made. It is hard to imagine a similar event being organised even a few years ago. The number of peoples that filled the auditorium and attended online make it clear that these events are wanted and needed. As an aspiring businesswoman myself, it was exhilarating to feel such an electric atmosphere. It is clear that momentum is building and I hope that events like these will continue for years to come, supporting us and the next generation on their journeys.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s blog post, and I can’t to see you back next week!
Great article Niamh