Episode 18: Redesigning the Rules: ADHD, Disclosure, and the Future of Inclusive Workspaces

Dave Thompson

With Dave Thompson

What if the systems we move through every day like school, work, life, were actually built to support the way our brains work, instead of working against us?

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and neurodiversity advocate Dave Thompson to unpack what real inclusion looks like in the workplace. From childhood diagnosis to system level change, Dave shares how his personal and professional experiences collided into a career focused on redesigning the workforce for neurodivergent success.

We talk about:

• The emotional complexity of disclosure at work

• Why accommodations aren't just for some people—they benefit everyone

• How AI tools like ChatGPT can be liberating or limiting depending on who's steering the ship

• And how Gen Z is forcing workplaces to finally catch up

  
  

This conversation isn’t just about jobs, it’s about dignity, autonomy, and building environments that actually work. Whether you're an ADHDer navigating the 9 to 5, a manager wanting to do better, or someone just tired of masking, this one’s for you.

Bio:

As someone early identified with ADHD, Dyslexia, and sensory issues, Dave Thompson found a career in changing the world of work after struggling to find his own path. He has been an educator, innovator, and self-advocate in the field of neurodiversity employment for over a decade.

Dave has recruited, coached and managed neuroinclusive teams, designing and leading mission-driven small businesses before leveraging his knowledge within the corporate world. He supports companies in thinking differently about their workforce and becoming more neuroinclusive through customized training, recruitment, coaching, and consulting programs.

Outside of his work, Dave is a proud dad and husband living outside of Nashville with his family.

TedX Talk

Website

Listen Now