International Human Rights Day: Adult Neurodivergent Rights Are Human Rights
Today is International Human Rights Day. When we speak of human rights, we must include adult neurodivergent individuals.
Data, research, and legal obligations show that neurodivergent adults—including autistic adults and those with ADHD or other neurodevelopmental conditions—continue to face significant systemic barriers, discrimination, and inequities across all major systems. These issues demand not merely awareness, but structural and rights- based change, including deep engagement with impacted communities, enforceable legislation, and functional accountability mechanisms. We continue to face resistance in Canada to neurodivergent-led efforts that move beyond basic awareness. This is the reason the Neurodiversity Change Foundation (NCF) exists. NCF is creating an organizational model that enables broad participation and meaningful social change for neurodivergent adults across multiple sectors.
Still, we have learned that for systemic change focused on neurodivergent adults to be treated with the respect and seriousness it deserves, ongoing advocacy—grounded in evidence—remains necessary.
What the Evidence Shows
1. Stark Employment Disparities
A longitudinal study of 2,449 autistic adults found stable employment remains elusive for many (Hughes et al., 2023).
Global analyses show autistic people experience unemployment rates far higher than the general population—even when willing and qualified to work. (Bury etal., 2023)
A 2024 review identified systemic failures in hiring, accommodation, and retention for neurodivergent workers (Johnson et al., 2024)).
Statistics Canada consistently reports higher unemployment and underemployment among disabled workers, including neurodivergent adults
2. Discrimination, Barriers, and Under-Recognition of Rights
Scholars document persistent human-rights violations affecting neurodivergent people across employment, healthcare, social inclusion, and autonomy (Smith & Iyall Smith, 2021).
Disability laws and supports often focus on physical or visible disabilities, leaving cognitive and neurodevelopmental differences marginalized and poorly protected.
In healthcare, diagnostic overshadowing leads to misdiagnosis, inadequate treatment, delayed care, and preventable harm (Courchesne et al., 2020; Doherty et al., 2022).
Misinterpretation of neurodivergent communication styles contributes to misjudgement, punitive responses, and procedural unfairness in criminal justice contexts (Clasby et al., 2022; Penal Reform International).
Lack of screening, communication supports, and accommodations means many neurodivergent people enter or remain in custody undetected, unsupported, and at risk (National Autistic Society, 2023).
3. Loss of Potential — For Individuals and Society
Structural exclusion harms individuals and wastes societal potential. Research shows neurodivergent employees bring unique strengths—including focus, reliability, pattern-recognition, innovation, and detail orientation—that remain under-leveraged due to systemic discrimination (Hedley & Uljarević, 2018).