Why Companies Benefit From Designing for Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity—the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways—is one of the most important aspects of inclusive design.

More and more companies are providing work environments that respect individual learning styles, working preferences, and sensory needs. This shift has grown out of two decades of brain research and advocacy, not to mention higher expectations from employees.

In the US, around 15-20% of people are estimated to be neurodivergent—part of a spectrum that encompasses conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. In other words, one in five of your colleagues have more intense needs from their work environment. However, 68% of American employees report being unfamiliar with the term “neurodiversity”.

This education gap needs addressing. Fortunately, when it comes to new workplace projects or renovations, companies can design for neurodiversity with no extra effort or cost.

Lessons from a vegetable peeler

Designing for individual preferences need not sacrifice the collective good. A famous example is OXO’s “Good Grips” line of ergonomic kitchen tools—the ones with soft rubber handles.

As the story goes, industrial designer Sam Farber created Good Grips to help his wife Betsey, who suffered from arthritis. His inspiration came when he noticed her struggling to peel apples with a conventional metal peeler, which caused her pain due to her condition. After experimenting with different materials, Sam came up with a working protype: a “squishy grip” handle made from thermoplastic rubber.

The new tool was an instant hit: The squishy grip suited not only Betsey, but the average user, too.

To illustrate this theory, we asked an audience of around 80 people for a show of hands: Had they ever used a kitchen tool like OXO’s? To this, most in the audience raised their hand. We then asked people to keep their hand raised if they had ever had arthritis in their hands. Only two people kept their hand up.

The moral of the story? When you design something for a specific user group, it can work out to benefit a lot more people than you may have thought possible.

Westborough, MA

Olympus U.S. Medical Headquarters

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In the workplace, like Betsey, some people have more acute needs than others. Good workplace design must respond to the different ways in which these employees process information and interact with their surroundings.

Click to hear SMMA principal Adrian Walters on neurodiverse employees in Life Sciences.

At SMMA, we believe that all workers benefit from designing for neurodiversity.

By integrating sensory accommodations, inclusive policies, and innovative building systems into the workplace, companies can boost the well-being and productivity of all their people. This in turn creates an inclusive and healthy workplace where companies can better reach their business goals.

As designers, it’s easy to sing the virtues of designing for neurodiversity. But our corporate clients want a clearer picture of the value it brings to their organization. Designing for neurodiversity has implications on cost, culture, and productivity that are unique to each company.

Click to hear SMMA project manager Kelly Sanborn on the rise of clients exploring neurodiversity.

As workplace design continues to evolve, it is imperative to adopt a whole-organization approach that integrates flexibility, choice, and autonomy. By embracing inclusive design, organizations can create environments that empower employees to thrive, respect their individuality, and adapt to their growth over time. This shift—from “nice-to-have” features to essential, data-driven design elements—ensures that the workplace is not only functional but also meaningful, equitable, and inspiring for all.

This article is the first in a new SMMA series on Inclusive Design.

We’ll explore how companies can apply lessons from business, education, and academia to create workplaces that meet the sensory needs of all employees without compromising on the power of the collective.

Next up, we’ll break down the most impactful design strategies for supporting the physical, sensory, and emotional well-being of every employee.

Boston, MA

Entrada Therapeutics Headquarters

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Inclusive Design: Why Companies Benefit from Designing for Neurodiversity

Meet the Author:

Lessons from a vegetable peeler

In the workplace, like Betsey, some people have more acute needs than others. Good workplace design must respond to the different ways in which these employees process information and interact with their surroundings.

At SMMA, we believe that all workers benefit from designing for neurodiversity.

This article is the first in a new SMMA series on Inclusive Design.

Next up, we’ll break down the most impactful design strategies for supporting the physical, sensory, and emotional well-being of every employee.

Next Perspective

Designing HQs for Impact

Inclusive Design: Why Companies Benefit from Designing for Neurodiversity

Meet the Author:

Lessons from a vegetable peeler

In the workplace, like Betsey, some people have more acute needs than others. Good workplace design must respond to the different ways in which these employees process information and interact with their surroundings.

At SMMA, we believe that all workers benefit from designing for neurodiversity.

This article is the first in a new SMMA series on Inclusive Design.

Next up, we’ll break down the most impactful design strategies for supporting the physical, sensory, and emotional well-being of every employee.

Next Perspective

Designing HQs for Impact

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