Did you know that having a DEIB strategy is up-there on the list of top priorities for an employee? DEIB, short for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, is the secret ingredient to success within our organisations. It’s the key to nurturing productive and content individuals who can bring their whole selves to the table. The result? A workforce that’s not just engaged but thriving—benefitting both the employee and the employer.
When it comes to diversity, it is most often race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, sexual orientation and religious affiliations which first come to mind; however there is one that is often forgotten: Neurodiversity. It’s all about acknowledging the differences in brain function and various neurodevelopmental conditions like Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and other developmental disorders. And let’s not forget those tied to speech and language communication needs. Because, let’s face it, no two brains are identical—whether they’re neurodivergent or neurotypical.
Neurodiversity: A Lived Experience
Our CEO, Asma, a second-generation Bangladeshi, embraces her own neurodivergence, weaving it seamlessly with her identity as an Autistic individual.
Her journey began years before she became aware of her own neurodivergence. She has always had a deep fascination for human communication, which initially led her to train as a Speech and Language Therapist at University College London (UCL). This in turn, then launched her career, working for many years within the NHS and various third-party sector organisations.
As time evolved Asma developed a renewed perspective, embracing her true self and recognising that the qualities that set her apart were her greatest assets. At that point, her mission was clear and Chatterbug Speech and Language Therapy Services was born in 2008. Fueled by a passion to bridge the evident gaps in speech, language, and communication needs, her crystal-clear mission became a living testament to the transformative impact of the guiding principles: “champion diversity and inclusion.”
Promoting neurodiversity inclusion from within is anchored in the fact that 75% of Chatterbug’s senior leadership team are individuals with lived experiences (LEx). They have a deep understanding of the challenges faced and the true magnitude of accomplishments. They are aligned with the purpose we aim to achieve: making a positive impact on the lives of those with neurodivergence and serving as examples that each attribute that distinguishes us, can become our most valuable strength.
We strive to create a diversity-conscious world, implementing DEIB strategies within our organisation and look to stand-out as leading examples, raising awareness of the fact that there is no one “right” way of thinking.
The future is now, and we are building a better world for all: Passion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to creating a more inclusive world for neurodiversity and individuals with speech, language, and communication needs.
If you want to know more about how Chatterbug can help or have any queries regarding the support Chatterbug offers, please contact us via email at office@chatter-bug.com or call our Leeds head office at 0113 240 8510.
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