Estimated to affect 15 per cent of the population, neurodivergent individuals process and interpret information in different ways with attention deficit disorders, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia identified as specific examples.
This webpage forms part of our developing online resources providing information, lived experiences and good practice case studies to help individuals and workplaces to better support archaeologists. If you are aware of other links we might use or have good practice case studies you would be happy to share, please get in touch at admin@archaeologists.net.
Informal neurodiversity network - this is an informal network hosted by CIfA for archaeologists who want to understand more about or share experiences of neurodiversity in archaeology. Our aim is to raise awareness of neurodiversity in archaeology and explore ways the sector can better support colleagues. If you'd like to join our informal neurodiversity network please email alex.llewellyn@archaeologists.net
ADHD
Other links
- ADDitude - resources and podcasts relating to ADHD
- The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service - provides information and resources about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- UK Adult ADHD Network - provides support, education, research and training for mental health professionals working with adults with ADHD
- AADD UK - a website run and maintained by adults with ADHD that provides information on support groups that run nation-wide.
- ADHDADULT UK - a charity and peer support group for adults with ADHD.
Autism
Other links
- National Autistic Society - providing support, guidance and advice including online training
Dyslexia
Case studies and experiences
- Neurodiversity and archaeological practice - dyslexia case studies
- Experiences with dyslexia
- Dyslexia awareness - case study from Air Photo Services
- Dyslexia awareness week 2020 - collated experiences from archaeologists
- Top tips for making a simple positive change to help dyslexic colleagues
- Be concise when giving instructions - long streams of instructions can be misunderstood and lead to mistakes
- Use dyslexic friendly fonts and font size
- Provide access to a super good computer keyboard
- Learn about dyslexia
- Talk to your staff/colleagues and find out the nuances of what they struggle with. Dyslexia is so individual and presents differently across everyone.
Research
- CIfA and MWAH Dyslexia in archaeology survey summary (2020)
- Dyslexia is my superpower - exploring dyslexia in archaeology
- How can neurodiverse individuals be their best at work? - Uta Langley explores neurodiversity in the context of diversity, disability and mental health and investigate how it can increase cognitive diversity in organisations. Download Uta's short 'Be your best at work' form here.
- Neurodiversity network: working environments and workplace adaptations Feb 2022 - at our 10 February 2022 tea break session, we discussed ideas for easy, cost-effective workplace adaptations to benefit neurodiverse individuals.
- Exploring neurodiversity in archaeology: past and present - for the CIfA2022 conference we brought together a panel of archaeologist to discuss neurodiversity in archaeology. We talk about neurodiversity in the past, whether it can be seen in the archaeological record and what impact neurodiverse individuals may have had on society. We also discuss the challenges neurodiverse archaeologists face now, the benefits neurodiversity can offer to workplaces, and finally round up what each of us would like to see in the future.
- Supporting our neurodiverse archaeologists to thrive: creative workplace adjustments - this in-conversation session explores some workplace challenges, adjustments and considerations for neurodiverse archaeologists. This includes experiences from our panel members around support for switching from an education environment to a workplace, managing conversations with employers, existing and potential platforms for support, and finishing with what we would like to see change in the future.
Other links
- British Dyslexia Association
- See dyslexia differently - (Youtube video; British Dyslexia Association)
External links relevant to all neurodiversity
- Genius Within
- Neurotalent Unlocked - online learning resources
- Lexxic
