Research highlights neurodivergence in sector

APM surveyed over 1,000 project professionals working in various sectors across the UK including transport and logistics in the poll carried out by national research company Censuswide. 

Over half (58%) of transport and logistics respondents said they considered themselves to be neurodivergent, which includes conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia. This was the second-highest ranking sector of the 17 polled and well above the survey’s average (31%).

Of these, when asked if their employer was aware of their neurodiversity, 7% answered no. In contrast, the survey’s average was 15%. Another 90% said yes and 3% preferred not to say.

Barriers facing project professionals from disclosing their condition across all sectors included ‘I've chosen not to tell them because I don't feel comfortable (40% agreed) and ‘I don't see the point in doing so’ (23%). One in four (25%) intended to do so, and 12% did not have an official diagnosis.

However, 100% of the transport and logistics respondents said that, once notified, their employer had made changes to the workplace or their ways of working to accommodate their neurodivergence. The survey’s average was 81%. 

Professor Adam Boddison OBE (pictured above), chief executive of APM, said: “Our research shows over half (58%) of project professionals working in transport and logistics consider themselves to be neurodivergent, which is a significant proportion and far higher than the cross-sector average of 31% in our latest survey.

“Employers in transport and logistics which embrace neurodivergence not only foster a culture of inclusivity and send out a powerful message that people with neurological differences are valued, but also benefit from unique strengths and perspectives that contribute to creativity, problem-solving and increased productivity. It can also unlock valuable insights into customers and stakeholders, leading to improved services and outcomes. Diversity in all its guises adds value to organisations.

“Overall, the importance of encouraging a neurodivergent workforce cannot be overstated. Individuals must feel empowered and supported to do their best work, and once employers have created optimal conditions, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated, leading to higher levels of job satisfaction, retention rates and overall success across the transport sector.”

The survey also found that 81% of transport and logistics respondents agreed with the view that the project profession is one that is welcoming and supportive of people who are neurodivergent – higher than the survey’s average (64%). Another 17% neither agreed or disagreed, and 2% disagreed.

When asked what employers can do to make the project profession more welcoming for neurodivergent individuals in transport and logistics, improvements to working environments (60% agreed) and ensuring the business is more aware of benefits that neurodiverse individuals can bring to the workplace (also 60%) scored the highest. This was followed by more internal training for staff on neurodivergence (33%) and changes to working models (23%).

Jenny McLaughlin (pictured below), a project manager at Heathrow Airport, who has ADHD and dyslexia, described the survey’s findings as being a helpful snapshot of neurodiversity for the project profession to help shape workplace considerations and attitudes, and to ensure equity within project management.

“Many neurodivergent individuals have experienced barriers and discrimination in some form. But as a project professional, you can provide the mandate to create a more systematic inclusive world – it is a challenge to relish,” she said.

Jenny, who leads on systematic inclusion for Heathrow’s solutions function, said neurodiversity represents “the fact that all of our brains are wired differently, as unique as a fingerprint.”

She added: “There is no one right way to be wired, but society has been constructed to favour the majority, or neurotypical, which creates barriers to those of us who think differently.”

APM has over 40,000 individual members and more than 400 corporate partners based across 140 countries.