Practical strategies for supporting neurodiverse creatives in digital work environments.
1. Challenge — Why This Matters
While remote work offers flexibility, it can also create isolation, communication gaps, and burnout — particularly for neurodiverse creatives who may already face unique challenges in professional and personal contexts.
Many existing workplace mental health resources focus on in-person scenarios or assume a built-in support network, leaving remote workers without targeted, actionable strategies.
This project set out to design an accessible, online-first toolkit to help:
- Creative professionals working remotely (especially freelancers & contractors).
- Individuals without strong support systems, who may lack mentors, colleagues, or friends to lean on.
2. Approach — My Process
Step 1: Research & Insights
- Gathered data from the Mentally Healthy Survey and academic research on neurodiversity in creative industries.
- Conducted informal interviews with members of my university’s Diverse Minds Club to identify common pain points in online work.
- Analysed existing toolkits for accessibility, gaps, and inclusivity.
Step 2: Defining the Toolkit Goals
- Keep resources short, visual, and actionable for neurodiverse processing styles.
- Focus on online scenarios (e.g., Zoom meetings, asynchronous communication, managing flexible hours).
- Include personal resilience strategies for those without strong support networks.
Step 3: Design & Content Creation
- Created a modular structure so users can explore topics as needed.
- Designed social media–friendly tiles for awareness.
- Developed downloadable PDF guides and a Notion-based interactive version for easy access.
3. Deliverables
- PDF Toolkit: Covers workplace adjustments, communication tips, and self-advocacy scripts for online meetings.
- “Solo Support” Section: Mental health strategies for individuals without a built-in support network (e.g., online peer groups, self-check-ins, digital co-working).
- Visual Awareness Assets: 3–5 high-contrast, neurodiverse-friendly tiles optimised for Instagram/LinkedIn.
- Quick-Action Guides: “What to do if…” scenarios for online work challenges (e.g., sensory overload in video calls, unclear instructions, time blindness).
4. Impact (Current & Future)
- Planned pilot release to Diverse Minds Club and local creative community online groups.
- Early feedback highlighted how valuable “scripted” communication prompts and sensory-friendly meeting tips are.
- Future goal: integrate into creative industry onboarding resources or partner with groups like Never Not Creative.
5. Reflection & Next Steps
What I Learned:
- Many neurodiverse creatives benefit from explicit scripts for professional communication in online work — these reduce anxiety and help navigate unclear expectations.
- Peer-led online spaces (e.g., Discord, Slack) can be a powerful substitute for in-person support networks if structured well.
Next Steps:
- Run a short beta test with 10–15 participants and collect feedback.
- Create short video explainers for each toolkit module to increase accessibility.
- Partner with creative mental health initiatives to distribute widely.
FINAL WORK
Online Work Scenarios
💡 Purpose: Help navigate common challenges in remote work.
Subcategories (cards or icons):
- Video Calls & Sensory Overload
- Quick tips: camera/sound settings, requesting agendas ahead of time.
- Asynchronous Communication
- Email/slack clarity templates, when to ask for clarification.
- Time & Energy Management
- Planning flexible hours, using visual timers, pacing work to avoid burnout.
- Boundaries & Work/Life Separation
- How to communicate “offline” hours, dealing with last-minute requests.
Solo Support Strategies
💡 Purpose: Provide resilience tools for people without a strong personal network.
Subcategories:
- Build Your Virtual Village
- Joining online communities (Discord, Slack, FB Groups for creatives).
- Self-Check-In Toolkit
- Mood trackers, digital journaling prompts.
- Digital Co-working
- Finding body-doubling spaces, focus sessions.
- Creating Your Own Rituals
- Start/end of day routines to anchor your mental health.
Quick-Action Scripts/Reasonable Accommodations
💡 Purpose: Reduce decision fatigue in stressful moments.
Script Examples:
- “I need more clarity” — requesting more information politely.
- “Sensory overload” — asking for alternative meeting formats.
- “Time extension” — negotiating deadlines without oversharing personal details.
- “Boundary setting” — phrases to decline extra work respectfully.
5. Accessibility & Design Features
- Font: Sans-serif, adjustable size.
- Color palette: High-contrast but low-glare (pastel backgrounds + bold text).
- Navigation: Minimal clicks to get to content (no deep menus).
- Formats: PDF, Notion, and mobile-friendly HTML version.
6. Future Add-ons (Optional Portfolio “Vision” Slide)
- Animated micro-videos explaining each concept in under 1 min.
- Audio versions of all text for screen fatigue relief.