Embracing Neurodiversity: A Personal Reflection on Why Difference Matters

 

 

"I have spent my life seeing the world differently, thinking in ways that don’t always follow a straight line, and questioning why systems are designed to reward conformity rather than creativity. I have worked in environments where my way of thinking was seen as a problem—where my energy, my non-linear approach to problem-solving, and my ability to see connections that others missed were not always valued. 

 

But then I found Sport for Confidence—a place where difference is not only accepted but embraced. It was the first time I had worked in an organisation where neurodivergence was not seen as something to accommodate but as something that actively contributes to success. The ways of working here align with my experience of what genuinely leads to better outcomes—not just for neurodivergent individuals, but for everyone. 

 

As we mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week, I want to reflect on what it truly means to embrace difference and how, within the sport and health sectors, we need to rethink our approach if we want to create meaningful change. 

 

 

Too often, neurodiversity is viewed through a lens of deficit. We talk about adjustments, accommodations, and overcoming barriers—but what if the barriers were never there in the first place? 

 

The way we structure education, workplaces, and even sport and health services is built around neurotypical norms. People are expected to conform rather than being given the space to thrive in ways that suit them. 

 

I have seen this first-hand. In past workplaces, my ability to jump between ideas, challenge traditional methods, and bring fresh perspectives was not always welcomed. But at Sport for Confidence, this way of thinking is not just accepted—it is at the heart of how we work. 

 

 

Working at Sport for Confidence often makes me smile—I sometimes wonder if we have more neurodivergent thinkers on our team than the average workplace. Whether by accident or design, the organisation has created an environment that naturally attracts people who think differently. This isn’t about making accommodations; it’s about recognising the strength in diverse ways of thinking. 

 

 

 

Sport for Confidence doesn’t assume one way of working suits everyone. Communication styles, workloads, and structures are adapted to fit the individual, not the other way around. There is an emphasis on creativity, flexibility, and innovation—not as buzzwords but as the foundation of meaningful change. The organisation ensures that belonging and lived experience are at the heart of decision-making, rather than being an afterthought. 

 

Rather than focusing on challenges, we ask: what are people brilliant at? This strengths-based approach mirrors how we work with participants, adapting activities to allow everyone to succeed. It’s a model that makes sense far beyond sport—companies like Microsoft and SAP have seen the benefits of rethinking traditional hiring practices to unlock the potential of neurodivergent employees (Read more: Neurodiversity as a Competitive Advantage). 

 

Sport for Confidence proves that when people are given the space to work, play, and engage in ways that make sense to them, extraordinary things happen. 

 

 

Sport and physical activity have long been positioned as ways to improve physical and mental health, but they can do so much more. 

 

At Sport for Confidence, we see physical activity as a tool to build social connections, create spaces for personal growth, and challenge traditional ideas of inclusion. 

 

One of the best examples of this was a basketball session designed to support young people transitioning from primary to secondary school, run by Lucy Goldup, an occupational therapist at Canvey Island. 

 

At first glance, it was just a game. But as I watched, I realised it was so much more than that. 

 

The young people came from different schools, with a mix of physical, cognitive, and emotional needs. What stood out was how instinctively they adapted to each other. They slowed down when someone needed more time, sped up when energy and competitiveness were needed, and found ways to ensure that a young girl in a wheelchair could score a basket and be celebrated by her peers. 

 

I turned to another spectator and said, “It’s incredible how inclusive they are.” 

 

She responded, “That’s because they come from a special school. In special schools, difference is expected and celebrated. In mainstream schools, we’re taught that we should all be the same.” 

 

That moment stayed with me. It reinforced what I have long believed: we need to design systems that assume difference rather than forcing people to fit into a narrow idea of what is considered 'normal'. 

 

"Neurodiversity is not about changing people. It’s about changing society’s perception of people." – Nick Walker 

 

 

Sport and physical activity should not be seen as standalone interventions but as part of a wider ecosystem of change. 

 

Creative projects that merge movement, art, music, and storytelling are leading the way in this space. The SHAFF Film Festival has showcased powerful films about adventure, movement, and neurodiversity, using sport and storytelling to challenge perceptions of ability and inclusion (Learn more: SHAFF). 

 

Education also needs to shift. The Forest School model has shown how outdoor learning enhances creativity, confidence, and problem-solving skills. A child with ADHD may struggle with a written history lesson, but take them on a hike through the landscapes where battles were fought, and they will absorb more than they ever could in a classroom. A child with autism may feel overwhelmed in a traditional PE setting, but with the opportunity to engage in movement through climbing, hiking, or cycling, they may find an outlet that brings them joy and purpose. 

 

These approaches are not just about inclusion. They are about redesigning education, work, and health systems to reflect the diversity of human experience. 

 

 

For those of us working in sport, health, and education, we have a responsibility to go beyond awareness and into action. 

 

This means designing services that value different ways of thinking and participating rather than forcing people into rigid structures. It means recognising that sport and physical activity are tools for connection, not just participation metrics. It means integrating movement into education, work, and everyday life to make learning and participation more accessible. Most importantly, it means listening to and valuing lived experience when designing policies and programmes. 

 

We have the opportunity to use sport and physical activity to shape a more inclusive, diverse, and exciting world. But it starts with a shift in mindset—from fitting people into existing systems to redesigning systems around the people they serve. 

 

 

Celebrating neurodiversity is not just about acknowledging difference. It is about embracing it, learning from it, and using it to create a better future. 

 

At Sport for Confidence, we are already seeing what happens when inclusion is not just an adjustment but a core principle. Imagine what could happen if this thinking was embedded across sport, health, education, and beyond. 

 

How will you use your role to challenge the status quo, rethink inclusion, and celebrate the power of difference?"