Blog: Strengths-Based Employment as a World View

At least 1 in 5 people learn, think and/or communicate differently than the so-called “typical” brain. Neurodivergent people are more likely to struggle to access critical resources — medical care, education, social connection, employment. Part of what we do here at All Brains Belong is educate the broader community about neurodiversity, and how we can appreciate the strengths of all brains.

For the past year and a half, All Brains Belong has also run a Neuroinclusive Employer Brightspotting Program. These are Vermont employers nominated by a community member (usually one of their employees) who “get it.”

We contact them, we find out what they do and how they do it, and learn from their experiences. Turns out, the 15 or so employers who have been recognized so far have a ton in common.

Becky Walsh, CFP, Founder of Oak Maple Finance, was one of the employers recently recognized as a Neuroinclusive Employer Brightspot. Like almost all of the other Brightspots we’ve recognized over the past 1.5 years, Becky sees the world through the lens of respecting that we all have different brains that do things differently. And more than that, every person has unique strengths. For Becky, neuroinclusion starts from a place and recognizing those differences.

Recognizing the tremendous gifts that all of us have to bring… it’s about getting to know the strengths of all team members and playing to those strengths. (This) makes our whole team stronger.

Becky Walsh, CFP, Founder of Oak Maple Finance

You can hear from Becky and additional Fall 2023 Neuroinclusive Employer Brightspots during their recent Brain Club panel presentation. So much wisdom. All Brains Belong VT also provides neurodiversity education for employers and community organizations, including live virtual training opportunities, monthly no-cost webinars, and access to 15+ pre-recorded webinars at no cost. You can also access content on this topic by following us on LinkedIn.