Case study | People and performance

Helping managers better understand and support neurodiverse colleagues

Using practical training sessions to build more confident, inclusive managers

Client overview

Business type

Technology

Locations

Employees

150

Key outcomes

Increased managerial confidence in supporting neurodivergent colleagues
Improved empathy, awareness and inclusive leadership behaviours
Practical behavioural change embedded in day‑to‑day management

The challenge

SolutionsPT, in partnership with M.A.C. Solutions, is a progressive technology organisation with a long‑standing commitment to employee wellbeing. As awareness of neurodiversity grew across the business, leaders recognised a gap in capability at manager level. Without internal neurodiversity expertise, the organisation sought specialist support to equip managers to foster inclusion, adapt their leadership styles and unlock the strengths of neurodiverse talent.

Key challenges included:

Limited manager confidence when supporting neurodivergent employees
Low awareness of different neurodivergent profiles and associated strengths
Risk of inconsistent or unintentional exclusion through management behaviours
Need for practical, strengths‑based guidance rather than theoretical training

Megan Byrne
Organisational Transformation and People Services Consultant

The solution

NFP partnered with SolutionsPT and M.A.C. Solutions to design and deliver a bespoke Managing neurodiverse behaviours development programme, tailored to organisational culture, leadership priorities and wellbeing goals.

The programme supported 30 people managers across both organisations and combined awareness‑building with highly practical application.

NFP delivered:

An awareness webinar to establish a shared understanding of neurodiversity
Coverage of types of neurodivergence, myths and stereotypes
Strengths‑based neurodiversity management approaches
Guidance on using AI tools to support neurodivergent employees

This was followed by two interactive manager workshops, delivered online and face‑to‑face in small cohorts:

Workshop 1: Understanding neurodiversity and its strengths, including legal context, organisational risk and the cost of inadequate support

Workshop 2: Developing neurodiversity‑friendly management practices, with focus on executive functioning, inclusive communication, meetings and practical workplace adjustments

The results

For their organisation

More confident and capable managers

Managers reported increased confidence in supporting neurodivergent colleagues.

Inclusive leadership embedded

Inclusive behaviours became part of day-to-day management practices.

Stronger employer brand

Enhanced employer brand through visible commitment to inclusive leadership.

For their people

Greater empathy and understanding

Improved awareness of neurodivergent strengths and needs across teams.

Behaviour change in practice

Adoption of inclusive language and application of the “4 Cs” model in real time.

Increased psychological safety

Created safer, more open team and learning environments.

NFP’s facilitator was great, and being open about her own challenges created an open environment for us to express things honestly.

Programme participant

Explore inclusive leadership in practice

Get in touch with our coaching team to learn how practical neurodiversity support can help managers unlock talent, confidence and inclusive performance.

Find out more