There’s a concept in urban planning called the curb-cut effect: when we make things better for one group, we often improve the experience for everyone. Curb cuts were designed for wheelchair access—but they also help parents with strollers, travelers with luggage, and delivery workers.
The same thing happens when we design systems and supports for neurodivergent individuals.
Whether you’re leading a team or running a classroom, building in structure to support differences doesn’t lower the bar. It raises outcomes for everyone. The research is clear—when we plan with neurodivergent people in mind, more people thrive.
Here’s how that plays out in real life:
In Schools: Structure Supports Success
✅ Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Originally developed to improve access for students with disabilities, UDL strategies like offering multiple ways to learn and show knowledge boost engagement across the board. A 2013 review (Katz) found higher achievement for all students—not just those with IEPs.
✅ Executive Function Supports
Visual schedules, chunking tasks, and using stepwise instructions were designed for students with ADHD or ASD—but they help every student stay focused and organized. (Meltzer et al., 2011)
I’ve seen this in action for decades: Add the right tools, and students who’ve been struggling shift from “I can’t” to “I did.”
In Workplaces: Clear Beats Clever
✅ Structure + Clarity = Better Performance
Microsoft’s Inclusive Design Toolkit, created with neurodiverse employees in mind, recommends tools like written agendas and follow-up notes. These don’t just help autistic employees—they improve memory, task completion, and communication for everyone.
✅ Clear Communication Builds Capacity
Research by Amy Edmondson, Deloitte, and others shows that cognitive diversity drives innovation—but only when communication is clear and expectations are consistent. This isn’t about being “nice” or “safe.” It’s about being clear, direct, and fair. When leaders are precise and predictable, teams do better work.
✅ Visual Project Tools Help Everyone
Tools like Trello or Kanban boards were embraced to help organize complex work. They also just happen to work especially well for brains that need extra scaffolding to see the whole picture.
In my work with leaders, this kind of practical design—clear roles, checklists, decision timelines—is the difference between hoping your team stays on track…and actually seeing it happen.
Why This Matters
The real magic happens when we stop assuming that effort looks the same for everyone.
Trying harder isn’t always the answer. Trying differently—with strategies that support how people actually learn, focus, and follow through—creates better results. For everyone.
| Practice | Intended For | Wider Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Visual schedules & task chunking | ADHD, ASD | All learners retain & manage tasks better |
| UDL strategies | LD, IEP students | Higher engagement for all students |
| Structured workflows & deadlines | Neurodivergent employees | Better team accountability & productivity |
| Asynchronous feedback & agendas | AuDHD, anxiety, introverts | Higher clarity for everyone |
| Multiple modes of communication | Language processing disorders | More inclusive, effective collaboration |
This is what I do at Learn & Flourish: uncover strengths, personalize structure, and build in tools that help both neurodivergent and neurotypical people thrive—at school, work, and home.
Designing for difference isn’t just inclusive. It’s effective.
Want to explore what this could look like in your school, workplace, or team?
BOOK A WELCOME CALL and let’s build something that works for how your people think and learn.
