Neurodiversity-Informed Accommodation Assessment for Work Performance and Sensory Needs

Alex is a 27-year-old professional who self-identified as neurodivergent and sought support due to ongoing challenges at work. They reported difficulty maintaining focus during meetings, managing competing deadlines, organizing tasks, and coping with sensory overload in a busy open-concept office environment.

Service

Occupational Therapy

Setting

Work

Approach

Neurodiversity-Informed Accommodation Assessment

Background

Alex is a 27-year-old professional who self-identified as neurodivergent and sought support due to ongoing challenges at work. They reported difficulty maintaining focus during meetings, managing competing deadlines, organizing tasks, and coping with sensory overload in a busy open-concept office environment.

Although highly capable in their role, Alex found that these challenges were impacting productivity, increasing stress levels, and contributing to burnout. They also noted inconsistent performance depending on environmental demands and workload intensity.

Alex’s goal was to better understand their functional needs and explore practical workplace accommodations to improve focus, organization, and overall work sustainability.

Assessment

A Neurodiversity-Informed Accommodation Assessment was completed by an occupational therapist. This process focused on functional performance rather than diagnosis and included:

What the assessment included

Detailed interview regarding work demands, routines, and challenges
Exploration of sensory processing patterns in workplace environments
Assessment of executive functioning skills, including organization, task initiation, time management, and follow-through
Identification of strengths, coping strategies, and environmental barriers
Administration of standardized tools related to sensory processing and executive functioning

What We learned

The assessment identified strengths in problem-solving, creativity, and task engagement when working in structured conditions. However, significant challenges were noted in sustained attention, prioritization of competing demands, sensory overload in high-stimulation environments, and managing unstructured or rapidly shifting tasks.

Intervention Plan

A tailored accommodation and support plan was developed to improve workplace functioning and reduce barriers to success.
Sensory Regulation Supports
  • Identifying environmental triggers contributing to sensory overload
  • Recommending noise-reducing tools (e.g., headphones or quiet workspace options)
  • Supporting access to low-stimulation work zones when needed
  • Incorporating planned sensory breaks throughout the workday
Executive Functioning Supports
  • Implementing structured task management systems (checklists, digital planners, visual workflows)
  • Breaking complex tasks into clear, time-bound steps
  • Supporting prioritization strategies for competing deadlines
  • Using reminders and external cueing systems to support follow-through
Work Environment Modifications
  • Recommending adjustments to workspace layout to reduce distractions
  • Supporting options for flexible or hybrid work arrangements where appropriate
  • Minimizing unnecessary multitasking demands during high-focus tasks
Time Management and Workload Strategies
  • Establishing realistic time estimates for tasks
  • Scheduling focused work blocks with planned breaks
  • Supporting batching of similar tasks to improve efficiency
Self-Advocacy and Workplace Communication
  • Supporting development of language to request accommodations
  • Encouraging clear communication with supervisors regarding workload and needs
  • Providing strategies to maintain boundaries and manage overwhelm

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Results

Following implementation of recommended strategies and accommodations:
Alex reported improved ability to focus during structured work periods
Sensory overwhelm at work decreased after identifying triggers and implementing environmental supports (e.g., workspace adjustments, breaks, and sensory strategies
Task completion and organization improved with use of structured planning systems
Work-related stress and fatigue reduced over time
Confidence in managing workload increased
Overall job satisfaction and sustainability improved
Alex noted that understanding their sensory and executive functioning profile allowed them to work in a way that better aligned with their strengths and reduced daily strain.

Conclusion

Neurodiversity-Informed Accommodation Assessments support individuals who experience challenges related to attention, organization, executive functioning, or sensory processing by focusing on functional needs rather than diagnosis. Occupational therapy helps identify barriers in the environment and daily demands, and translates these into practical, individualized strategies and accommodations.

By aligning workplace or academic environments with individual strengths and needs, clients can improve performance, reduce overwhelm, and participate more successfully and sustainably in their roles.

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