DESIGN | NEURODIVERSITY PEACE OF MIND Ahead of new guidance on catering for neurodiversity in the built environment, which is due to be released in the spring, we speak to experts and an engineer with dyslexia to find out how the industry can help neurodiverse people thrive The proportion of dyslexic people in engineering is expected to be much higher than the 10-15% of the general UK population with the condition I ve always known there was something odd, but I had no words for it at the time. I seemed to be able to do the things that other people couldnt and not do things that everyone else could. There is no doubt other neurodiverse engineers would identify with the experiences of Professor Andy Ford, who publicly announced he was dyslexic in 2020. A CIBSE past-president, and director of research and enterprise at the School of the Built Environment and Architecture at London South Bank University, Ford says he concealed his condition for most of his life, surrounding himself with people who could fill in the gaps for the things he found challenging because of his dyslexia. He says the talents of many neurodiverse engineers are not being realised because they are not being supported in industry, but there are ways in which organisations can help neurodiverse people thrive. Form filling, for example, can be extremely difficult for people with autism or dyslexia, so membership organisations should do more to make their entry processes easier. Another way to help is by designing spaces that are sensitive to peoples different neurological states. A new design standard PAS 6463 due out in the spring, aims to do exactly that. The author is Jean Hewitt, senior inclusive design consultant in the inclusive design team at Buro Happold. An environment that is easy to understand with sensible acoustics, lighting and wayfinding can be calming for individuals and doesnt contribute to anxiety, she says. Strength in neurodiversity The term neurodiversity was coined in the late 1990s by autistic sociologist Judy Singer. According to Singer, it refers to the concept that certain developmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia are normal variations in the brain, and people with these features also have particular strengths. Stephen Gill, a consultant, and founder of the Institute of Refrigerations Dyslexia in Engineering Day campaign, is himself dyslexic. He says: Everyone is different and, within that neurodiversity, there are people who learn differently and they are neurodivergent or neurodiverse. Gill says some associated strengths of dyslexia such as creativity, problem solving and thinking outside the box are relevant to engineering. As such, he says the proportion of dyslexic people in engineering is expected to be much higher than the estimated 10-15% of the general UK population with the condition. So, it is increasingly important to ensure that the building engineering sector embraces the challenges and opportunities posed by neurodiversity. Organisations, employers and managers must learn to understand the benefits that neurodiverse individuals can bring to the industry, as well as the challenges they face. 22 January 2022 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Jan 22 pp22-24 Neurodiversity.indd 22 23/12/2021 15:47