Neuroinclusive communication
No brain’s the same. Neuroinclusive communication takes all individuals and neurotypes into account – creating clear and empowering messages that work for all brains!
Why Neuroinclusive communication matters
For people like me, who process information differently, accessible information isn’t just frustrating – it’s a barrier to inclusion, independence and trust.
Did you know?
There are three million people in the UK with ADHD.
More than one in 100 people are autistic.
Around 10% of the UK population have dyslexia.
An estimated 25% of people have maths learning difficulties.
6% of people have dyscalculia.
In 2023-24, there were 335,409 UK hospital admissions for acquired brain injury (ABI).
What’s more, with an ageing population, and increased dementia rates, clear communication isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s the law.
Life’s busy. The constant juggle of work, bills, admin, family and other responsibilities means our operating systems are unlikely to be bug-free 100% of the time. Clearer communications and simpler processes that are essential for neurodivergent people benefit everyone.
Systems and processes aren't taking everyone into account
You have a brilliant offering, but your users have become disconnected and dissatisfied. Inflexible processes and systems are not meeting their diverse needs, and unclear communication is compounding the issue.
Confusing instructions, incomprehensible jargon and inaccessible formats lead to lost opportunities, missed appointments, complaints and disengaged customers.
Content is losing meaning thanks to digital overwhelm, groupthink and the pressure to standardise. When your words lose their spark, your audience checks out too.
Your one-size-fits-all strategy has fallen flat, because atypical brains were left out of the equation. This oversight is costing you time, money and your reputation.
Neuroinclusive communications through lived experience
My passion for accessible information comes from the frustrations I face when attempting to access, purchase and use the products and services I need.
As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman, I’ve battled everything from incomprehensible forms to impossible-to-read manuals. I know first-hand how poor communication can turn everyday tasks into overwhelming challenges.
But I also know how to fix it. My background in intercultural education and the public sector has given me the tools to approach problems from different perspectives. My later career in languages has made me obsessive about crafting words to convey meaning clearly, accurately and concisely.
How I can help
From policies to user guides, onboarding docs and more, I write and rewrite your content to remove ambiguity and make information accessible to everyone. Plain language isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ – it’s the lifeblood of effective communication, and in most sectors, it’s a requirement.
Words don’t work for everyone. In some cases, we can achieve clarity with out-of-the-box solutions. I recommend and create alternative formats – like infographics, diagrams, colour-coding, and checklists – to ensure your message lands.
Not sure where to start? I’ll give you practical advice on layout, process mapping, terminology, colour and font choices – all from a neurodivergent perspective. Information that’s easier to process takes less time to action: satisfaction for your customer, efficiency savings for you.
As a passionate public speaker, I share my lived experience and best practices at events, conferences and workshops – empowering your team to speak openly and communicate inclusively with confidence.
Through my neuroinclusive editing service, I simplify, clarify and reorganise your content into plain language with user-friendly formats like tables, text boxes, or infographics. I’m a merciless editor – slashing through your words salad, removing jargon and turning dense policies and reference materials into easily-digestible resources. But editing isn’t just about fixing grammar or cutting words – it’s also about making sure your message flows well and includes key information and context. My ability to hyperfocus comes into its own here. I dive in and immerse myself into your world, so I can understand not just what you want to say, but also how you want to say it, and how it will be interpreted.
How we can work together
1. Consultancy & audits
This two-step neuroinclusive consultancy and auditing process first involves a thorough workplace audit to review your existing policies and environments and identify invisible barriers and opportunities for inclusion. As a follow-up, you’ll get bespoke recommendations and practical solutions that will help you move your workplace beyond compliance to a truly inclusive culture that benefits everyone.
2. Communication, editing, copywriting & resource development
Send me your policies, handbooks, onboarding materials and web copy and I’ll work on your words. I’ll produce plain English guides and resources, custom checklists and templates and any other tools your teams need for long-term neuroinclusion in your internal and external communications.
3. Public speaking, training and workshops
I educate, advocate and improve understanding of neurodiversity and neuroinclusion through compelling keynote speeches, panel contributions, workshop facilitation and interactive sessions in person or online.
4. Service repair
After I identify gaps in your neuroinclusion, we can work on refining your existing policies and processes and implementing new neuroinclusion-friendly ones among your teams to better meet your neurodivergent stakeholders’ and colleagues’ needs.
5. Hire my hyperfocus
Harness the power of my atypical brain and get your in-depth research done in quick time. I have a gift for spotting patterns, making connections, and focusing intently on tasks, and I thrive on the novelty and complexity of your research-based challenges – delivering fast, accurate and actionable insights on any topic imaginable.
6. Critical friend
Pick my brains and ask me anything – even the questions you don’t think you’re allowed to ask. When you’re refining your strategy and troubleshooting your paint points, I’ll be the sounding board that allows you to steer your neuroinclusion initiatives in the right direction.
Why Work With Me?
I combine professional communication skills with first-hand insight into the daily challenges neurodivergent people face. Designing services for atypical brains isn’t just ethical – it delivers real business benefits: fewer complaints, more engaged users and a reputation for genuine inclusion.
What my clients say
Councillor Chris Hayden
She went above and beyond and made the leaflet much more accessible to my target audience. She responded promptly and moved quickly to meet an incredibly tight deadline. Provided with bullet points and a general thrust of the intended outcomes Ruth went to task and composed a thoroughly well researched document written in a style that far exceeded my expectations. From start to finish I received a professional service. I could not be happier with the outcome or the time it took for delivery
Helen Pennant, First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs, British Embassy, Paris
Ruth’s ideas [for the State visit event] showed a high degree of creativity e.g. in thinking up ways of making the event more coherent and relevant to the students. She has also introduced a number of innovative ways of managing information for the team such as electronic storage.
Trusted by organisations across sectors:
FAQs
Neuroinclusive communication is all about choices. Do you choose words or pictures? PDF or Word? Email or WhatsApp? A questionnaire or a conversation? How do you choose to present essential information, in the body of the text or in a text box? Do you use a link or a QR code? Do you use jargon or plain English? Do you write words out in full or use abbrevations? Colour or black and white? If you use colour, which ones? What font do you use?
When speaking, do you use metaphors or specifics? Do you take a written record? How is the sensory experience of your audience affecting the impact of your message? Are they sitting down or standing up? Standing still or walking?
From expense claims to intranet posts and meeting agendas, every time you communicate you are placing pressure on the cognitive resources of your organisation and, over time, this can add up to disengagement and even burnout. By reducing the pressure, you can reduce the brain drain and ensure energy is going where it is needed. We work with a panel of neurodivergent experts to ensure your internal communications are fit for purpose.
Of course, there are some basic things you can do to be more neuroinclusive (e.g. allowing attendees to turn their cameras off, or ensuring any decisions are shared in writing) but here at Wordsted, we encourage you to go further.
First, we look at the purpose of your meetings then we consider the best way of achieving that purpose for a range of sensory and cognitive profiles. Do you need to have a meeting at all? If you do, do you need to use the format you have always used? Are there ways you can think outside the box? Our advice can range from changing the seating plan to changing the venue completely.
Maybe you don’t to meet indoors. Maybe it’s ok for staff to decide whether they sit or stand. Maybe you can improve everyone’s sensory experience by turning the heating down or providing blankets.
Think about communication best practices and document format and dissemination. Can it be provided in multiple formats via multiple channels?
As always, be direct, write in Plain Language, and think about accessibility not just in terms of words, but information. We can edit any internal documentation and develop templates and checklists for future use.
Psychological safety is essential for wellbeing, and employee well-being is essential for a workplace.
A neuroinclusive workplace needs employees to feel safe to disclose their disabilities and request adjustments without fear of repercussions.
When neurodivergent people are forced to fit into systems and environments that don’t suit their needs, it takes a huge mental toll.
Create a culture where neurodivergent staff don’t need to mask, or cope with situations that stress their executive function.
Most importantly, take every opportunity to reduce unnecessary cognitive or sensory load. We can help you figure out how.
Reach out – we’re happy to support you with tailored advice, policy reviews, or a discovery call to get started.
Ready to upgrade your communication?
If you’re worried your organisation might be putting off atypical brains – or just want to make things easier for everyone – I can help. Let’s make your information accessible, your processes user-friendly and your organisation truly inclusive.