The increase in neurodivergent professionals has led to a significant need for research to examine neurodiversity inclusion in the workplace. Research has portrayed workplace inclusion as the perception that the individual is a valued member of a workgroup through satisfactory experiences of belongingness and uniqueness. We draw on the person-environment fit and the neurodiversity approach literatures to examine how neurodivergent professionals view inclusion, exclusion, and cope with exclusion in the workplace. Results of semi-structured interviews with 20 neurodivergent professionals suggest six inclusion and six exclusion themes at work. Results were largely consistent with previous inclusion research, however, one novel category, flexible accommodations, suggests the importance of considerate accommodations that are easy to implement, low cost, and significantly matter to neurodivergent employees. Participants also identified six coping strategies that provide insight into how they cope with exclusion, which vary from masking to educating others on their strengths and needs. Results extend theory development on inclusion and person-environment fit, and underscore the importance of neurodiversity awareness, as well as intentional and informed neurodiversity inclusive practices. Business organizations can utilize these findings to improve inclusion of neurodivergent employees and provide neurodivergent individuals a pathway to success in their careers.
