March 2025: It's global Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and we asked three of our people to explain the significance of this milestone in their own lives. Thanks to Sonja Angelevska (Business Development Manager, London), Charlie Barker (Associate, Sydney), Victoria Lansbert (Partner, London) for sharing their perspectives.
What strengths or perspectives do you think are overlooked in discussions about neurodiversity?
Sonja Angelevska: I see neurodiversity as a critical piece of the larger puzzle of humanity. In the modern work environment, I believe we all see being super-organized as the gold standard. However, embracing the "chaos" occasionally leads to the best ideas!
Charlie Barker: Neurodivergent individuals often have an original way of thinking that gives them a unique perspective and is very helpful for problem-solving. But a welcoming and well-thought-out environment is a necessary prerequisite to these strengths being realized.
Victoria Landsbert: A lot of neurodivergent people—if they are inspired and stimulated by the particular project or area they are working on—have a super-focus that means they deliver great results. Many also have incredible memories and can recall that information very quickly. And they are often very creative, including different ways of thinking and learning.
Tell us about how you hope the Beyond Barriers Affinity Network can empower neurodivergent people and their allies at White & Case?
SA: I hope it will help inspire those who are neurodiverse to be more open about the challenges they are experiencing working in a predominately neurotypical environment. I hope we can encourage honest discussions and help our neurodiverse colleagues to be fully comfortable with who they are and bring their whole selves to work.
CB: By creating a community for neurodivergent people and their allies to share information and experiences. Hosting events on relevant topics can also be empowering by providing useful information and practical strategies.
VL: Networks like these can help by creating and spreading awareness of neurodiversity and the challenges faced by neurodivergent folk in the workplace. That can only be a positive thing.
What opportunities for learning and growth have you experienced as a result of your own perspective on neurodiversity?
SA: My biggest life lesson has been not to try to fit myself into a neurotypical mould. Over the years, I have grown to embrace and nurture my strengths while at the same time develop strategies to minimize disruptions.
CB: The way a neurodivergent person experiences the world is through quite a different lens, so you often end up adopting creative strategies that work for you and allow you to positively contribute.
VL: I like the expression "predominant neurotype," because we are all neurodiverse, some of us simply "diverge" from that predominant neurotype. And there is no single explanation or description of how a neurodivergent person presents, or a list of challenges they may have.
Specifically in the workplace, what "big picture" or practical changes do you think would enable more neurodivergent people to succeed at work?
SA: One of the most powerful quotes that comes to mind is Albert Einstein's "If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." We need to rethink how we evaluate the performance of neurodiverse colleagues so we can judge the "fish" on its swimming abilities, rather than its climbing abilities.
CB: Keeping an open mind and realizing how important it is to give colleagues the benefit of the doubt, especially early on in their career. Many neurodivergent people operate far more effectively once settled into a new environment, so giving them the space to do this is crucial.
VL: By increasing education, we increase inclusion. People feel comfortable if they feel understood. In my experience, one of the hardest things for an autistic person in the workplace is sensory stimulation. For example, working in an open-plan office can be really tough. Noise-cancelling headphones were a no-no when I started out, but we all have them now, and we allow people to book break-out rooms to get away from noise or so they can adjust their lighting.
Discussions about neurodiversity can occasionally focus on perceived negatives –please share your experiences of the best aspects of neurodiversity?
CB: The personal growth of neurodivergent individuals once they are given the opportunity to thrive in a supportive environment often results in a new-found sense of self, and a tangible improvement in outcomes for the team they're operating in.
VL: In time, resilience, because neurodivergent people, certainly in any conventional environment like school, can feel "othered," so despite the fact it isn't a natural tendency—you learn to adapt yourself to different situations and therefore in front of different people. That's quite a powerful skill.
SA: My neurodiversity is a big part of who I am and while it comes with a lot of challenges, it also comes with a lot of positives that define me as a person. My wandering brain often takes me to places where others wouldn't go, fueling my creativity and passion for living life to the fullest.
