ADHD & Autism at Work: Masking, Burnout and What Employers Still Get Wrong

In this episode, Ben is joined by Kelly and Hester Grainger, the
married co-founders of Perfectly Autistic.


Together they work with major organisations to build workplaces
that actually work for neurodivergent people but as Kelly (AuDHD)
and Hester (ADHD) explain, inclusion isn’t about a single
training session or a handful of adjustments.


They reflect on careers shaped by masking, burnout and trying to
fit systems that weren’t designed with neurodivergent people in
mind. Together they unpack why so many workplaces unintentionally
exclude ND employees, what genuinely neuroinclusive organisations
do differently, and why awareness has to go beyond a one-off
training session.


They also share the more personal side: exploring their own
careers, why Hester once had over 30 jobs, and what it’s like
running a business together as a neurodivergent couple.


If you’ve ever felt exhausted by work environments that don’t
quite fit your brain, this episode will help you see why - and
what could change.





Join us at hidden20.org/donate.


________


Host: Ben Branson


Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné


Video Editor: James Scriven


Social Media Manager: Charlie Young


Music: Jackson Greenberg


Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller


00:00 Introduction


1:26 Neurodiversity at Work | Hester & Kelly Grainger on
ADHD, Autism & Corporate Consulting


2:19 The #1 Thing Employers Need to Understand About
Neurodiversity in the Workplace


3:50 Supporting Neurodivergent Employees at Scale: What Actually
Works


7:26 Which Companies Are Asking for Neurodiversity Support at
Work?


8:31 ADHD & Autism at Work: Common Challenges and Simple
Workplace Adjustments


19:15 Who Is Responsible for Neurodiversity in the Workplace?


23:37 Why Neurodiversity Training Can’t Be a One-Off Session
& The Power Of Listening & Curiosity at Work


26:38 Neurodiversity Labels at Work: Why Language Around Autism
& ADHD Matters


33:16 Undiagnosed ADHD or Autism at Work: Your Rights as an
Employee


37:40 What Does The Dream Neuroinclusive Employer Look Like?


42:30 Neurodiversity & Recruitment


49:34 Running a Business Together as a Neurodivergent Couple


50:40 Kelly’s AuDHD Diagnosis: Telling Employers About ADHD &
Autism


53:48 Creating Safe Conversations About Neurodivergence &
Advocating For Yourself


57:43 Neurodivergent Workers Are Everywhere: Why Companies Need
to Adapt


59:30 What Do “Best in Class” Neuroinclusive Companies Do
Differently?


1:06:06 What Neurodivergent Candidates Should Look for in an
Employer


1:08:22 Practical Ways Employers Can Create Neuroinclusive
Workplaces


1:09:50 If Hester & Kelly Had a Magic Wand: The One Thing
They’d Change About Workplaces


1:19:26 Kelly & Hester’s Green Dot Badge





The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben
Branson.


Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees
neurodivergence.


No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.


1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet
too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without
support.


To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep
showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing
stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and
research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people
turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about
brilliant brains.


With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep
fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.


Join us at hidden20.org/donate.


Become a monthly donor.


Be part of our community where great minds think differently.





Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348


______________


Follow & subscribe…


Website: www.hidden20.org


Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity


Ben Branson @seedlip_ben


Hester Grainger @hestersvibe linkedin.com/in/hestergrainger


Kelly Grainger linkedin.com/in/kelly-grainger-9601b43


www.perfectlyautistic.co.uk





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