In this first episode of NeuroSpicy@Work, Duena sits down with Prof. Dr. Amanda Kirby — one of the most respected voices in neurodiversity, lived experience, and inclusive work design. Together they unpack what it actually feels like to disclose autism at work, why the modern workplace still struggles with ND identity, and how communication, fear, and outdated structures continue to hold people back.
Dr. Kirby brings clarity and depth to topics most organisations mishandle: the tension between authenticity and safety, the rise of late-diagnosed adults, and the emotional and practical realities of ND life in professional environments. This episode offers a grounded, honest look at why disclosure is such a risk for many — and what needs to change if workplaces want to stop bleeding talent and burning people out.
What We Talk About
- The risk, fear, and vulnerability behind disclosure
- Why ND identity is misunderstood in the workplace
- The collision between rising diagnoses and outdated HR structures
- Stigma, shame, and the pressure to be “authentic”
- Why ND people are the canaries exposing broken culture
- The role of communication and emotional language in safety
- Social media’s impact on ND understanding (good and bad)
Why This Matters
ND people are entering workplaces that were never built with them in mind — and many are burning out, masking heavily, or leaving altogether. This episode sets the stage for the entire series by naming the real issues: cultural fear, communication breakdowns, human debt, and a system that still doesn’t know how to treat ND workers with respect. Understanding these dynamics is key to building genuinely safe, functional teams.
Who This Episode Is For
Neurodivergent professionals, late-diagnosed adults, leaders, HR teams, educators, and anyone trying to build a more human-centred workplace.
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This episode explores neurodiversity at work through themes of disclosure, psychological safety, stigma, communication gaps, human debt, masking, late diagnosis, ND–NT dynamics, and workplace cultural adaptation.
Keywords: autistic identity, workplace disclosure, psychological safety, ND burnout, masking, lived experience, communication patterns, stigma, HR barriers, organisational fear, Human Debt.
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❓ Questions This Episode Answers
- Why is disclosure still risky for autistic and ADHD professionals?
- How do shame, stigma, and misunderstanding shape ND work experiences?
- What happens when rising ND identification collides with outdated workplace norms?
- Why does communication matter more than diagnosis labels?
- How can organisations adapt if they genuinely want ND people to thrive?
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