To mark the launch of Hope&Glory’s Neurodiversity TIG, our Beyond Your Bubble series featured Charlotte Mia, co-founder of I am Paying Attention and co-author of How Not To Fit In. Charlotte Mia shared her experiences navigating agency life as someone with both autism and ADHD.
Charlotte Mia openly shared the daily battles she faced in agency life. Simple things like making eye contact with colleagues and clients, the relentless distractions of open-plan offices, the draining commute, and even casual small talk became significant hurdles. Meetings without agendas and constant social expectations, especially drinking culture, only amplified the pressure.
Often finding herself constantly “masking” her neurodivergent traits to appear neurotypical, leading to burnout. Her departure from agency life came when she realised she couldn’t ask for the support she desperately needed.
This is what inspired Charlotte Mia to launch I Am Paying Attention alongside her friend Jess Joy. I Am Paying Attention empowers both neurodiverse individuals with personalised support and organisations with the training they need to truly uplift their neurodiverse employees.
Here’s what we learnt about creating a more supportive workplace for neurodivergent individuals:
- Ask open questions about accommodations that might be needed by colleagues, being clear about expectations from the outset and avoiding putting the onus on neurodiverse colleagues to always know what they need. Even small accommodations could have the greatest of impacts.
- Create a safe space where employees feel comfortable disclosing their neurodivergence and discussing their needs without fear of judgment.
- Provide structured routines and predictability, offer time management tools like planners and visual aids, implement flexible working options to manage energy and sensory overload.
While agency life presented unique challenges for Charlotte Mia—and often for other neurodivergent individuals—she highlighted the significant strengths her autism and ADHD bring. These include an exceptional eye for detail, tenacious problem-solving, and the ability to expertly juggle multiple tasks with the right support. As an agency, we’re committed to ensuring our neurodivergent colleagues are fully supported to thrive and shine here.
Our Beyond Your Bubble series goes beyond merely showcasing influential voices and their impactful work; it’s a way for us to broaden our perspective and foster understanding.
To learn more about I Am Paying Attention, visit the website or check them out on Instagram, and to learn more about Neurodiversity, try Charlotte’s book How Not To Fit In.
