As part of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion commitment, we’d like to encourage everyone to recognise the incredible diversity of minds, or neurodiversity, within our DHU family. Zahra Leggatt is DHU’s Director of People and Organisational Development and has some experience of Neurodiversity. Here’s what she told us…
“Each one of us at DHU brings unique strengths, perspectives, and ideas that make our teams stronger and more innovative. Our differences are not just valued—they form part of the heartbeat of DHU’s collective success.
“Before I came to DHU, I worked for an organisation that provided care for adults and children with autism. I've heard plenty of stereotypes about autistic people - they're not creative; they can't empathise; they're great with numbers. What I've learnt is that when you've met one person with autism, you've met just one person with autism, so I try hard not to generalise.
“My children are both neurodiverse and I see, on a regular basis, the barriers they face in accessing services and other elements of life that the neurotypicals among us may not struggle with.
“Anxiety is closely associated with autism, often manifesting as heightened stress and difficulties in social situations. Our response to perceived threats can be categorised into four types: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn, each representing different survival strategies. Whilst most of us have heard of fight or flight; one of my children falls into the ‘freeze’ response and the other ‘fawn’. Freezing is a survival mechanism where an individual can feel paralysed, numb, or detached, making it difficult to move or respond effectively to the situation. Fawning is a coping mechanism where an individual attempts to appease or please a perceived threat to avoid conflict or harm, often at the expense of their own needs or boundaries.
“One of the most interesting things I’ve learnt is that what my children perceive as threats is significantly different to what I perceive as a threat; just this difference alone can be debilitating and stating their needs can be a challenge and present a barrier to communication. Seeing the world through their eyes has brought me a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the unique ways we all navigate life.
“Sensory experiences vary widely and, until my eldest was diagnosed, I had no idea why there was such a strong physical reaction to some smells for example. If I eat fruit, I’m not allowed in the same room. It was strange to me as a neurotypical that smells could cause such intense discomfort and even pain. It’s certainly opened my mind up as to how to be more considerate of others’ needs, regardless of whether I understand them.
“Working supportively alongside colleagues who experience life differently and have different processes will enrich our projects and open new avenues for creative solutions. If someone wears the sunflower lanyard, or shares with you that they are neurodiverse, the best question that I think you can ask is ‘what do you need from me to help you be yourself or for us to communicate effectively’.
“Let's remember to take the time to respect and appreciate the individuality that each person brings. Whether you're a creative thinker, a meticulous planner, or someone who approaches challenges with a fresh perspective, you are a vital part of our community.
“Thank you for being you. Let's continue to support, uplift, and learn from each other, today and every day.”