Who are we?

Autism SA worked with a passionate collaborative group of individuals committed to creating environments where everyone feels connected and has a sense of belonging. We all believe that when people feel they belong, great things happen—not only for individuals but also for the organisations they work in. This was our motivator for creating Neuro-Inclusive Recruiting. 

“We believe neuro-inclusive recruiting marks an essential evolution in the way hiring is approached. By changing traditional practices, organisations can embrace neurodiversity, driving greater innovation, performance, and a more inclusive workplace culture. At the same time, removing barriers for neurodivergent job seekers enables everyone to contribute to Australia’s vibrant workforce. Together, we can transform recruitment into a more equitable and inclusive process, paving the way for diverse and dynamic workplaces.” – Niki Welz, Project Manager.  

How was it developed?

This project was delivered by a neurodiverse team at Autism SA. The team established three National Advisory Groups, which included neurodivergent employees and employers involved in recruitment processes across various organisations in different industries. Additionally, the team engaged with stakeholders nationwide through surveys and interviews, while also commissioning Adelaide University to conduct a Literature Review ensuring that the resource is as comprehensive and effective as possible. 

The team

Niki Welz Project team

Niki Welz

Research, Projects and Resources & Marketing Manager

Over the past three years, Niki Welz has managed the development of the Neuro-Inclusive Recruiting project. As a neurodivergent professional with 14 years in the autism field, she has championed the employment of autistic individuals across various sectors, including collaborations with companies like Sunpork and HP. With a background in Philosophy and Inclusive Education, Niki … Continued

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Greg Healy Project team

Greg Healy

Counsellor | Digital Content Creator

Greg Healy has worked at Autism SA for the past 25 years in many different services and roles. He co-ordinated Employment Services and has supported autistic adults to find work. Greg has also been counselling, training, as well as running many different groups for autistic adults and their families. He has also mentored staff members … Continued

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Hannah Badenhop Project team

Hannah Badenhop

Community Engagement and Branding Officer

Hannah Badenhop has worked across many roles over her 4 years at Autism SA. As a neurodivergent person herself, Hannah strives to champion inclusion through everything she does. Hannah was a part of the Neuro-inclusive Recruiting project team. She had the privilege of facilitating the National Advisory Group. Through engaging in a co-design creative process, … Continued

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Isabella Collins Project team

Isabella Collins

Digital Marketing Project Officer

Isabella Collins has worked at Autism SA for over 7 years across several roles, using her passion for digital strategy to drive access and inclusion in the community. As the Digital Marketing Project Officer, Isabella worked alongside the Project Team and National Advisory Groups to facilitate the development and delivery of the digital platform for … Continued

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Ashish Negi Project team

Ashish Negi

Digital Marketing Officer

I joined Autism SA in September 2023 as a Digital Marketing Officer, where I embraced the opportunity to contribute to a purpose-driven organisation. During my time at Autism SA, I worked on several impactful projects, including promoting Autism SA, The Spectrum, Autistic Guide to Adulthood, Autism Friendly Charter and the Building Employer Confidence: Inclusive Recruitment … Continued

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Rohan Classen Project team

Rohan Classen

Digital Developer

My name is Rohan and I am a learning design and development specialist, a storyteller, and a neurodiverse person—three traits that shape how I create and communicate. As a digital developer, I was part of the development team, bringing ideas to life through innovative learning solutions. With years of experience in basic education, higher education, … Continued

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Helen Graham Talent

Helen Graham

Autism SA CEO

Helen Graham has worked at Autism SA for nearly 4 years and has played many important roles, including her current role, in which she feels very privileged to be the CEO. With 20+ years experience in management, Helen speaks from her experiences in the recruitment and disability sector, offering innovative ideas about how to make … Continued

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Jamie Rossiter Advisory group + talent

Jamie Rossiter

I am a Neurodivergent employee. I took part in this project because I think it is very important for employers to understand more about how to work with neurodivergent employees and how to understand them. I feel that employers could utilise neurodivergent employees a bit better than they already do. This is why we need … Continued

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Khadija Gbla Advisory group + talent

Khadija Gbla

Khadija Gbla, is a renowned award-winning intuitive speaker, human rights activist and compassionate thought leader. Born in Sierra Leone, Khadijia came to Australia as a refugee at the age of 13. Khadijia is determined to build a more inclusive, culturally aware, safe and accepting society no matter our differences through heart centredness.

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Anna Hennessy Advisory group + talent

Anna Hennessy

Hi I’m Anna and I am 46 years old. I was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD (impulsive/inattentive/hyperactive at the age of 43. This changed my world and how I see myself. My life made sense. I have a chaotic and fun life with my husband and our children. I love being creative, have a vast … Continued

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Tara MacLeod Advisory group

Tara MacLeod

With a background in events, project management and operations, Tara has over 16 years’ experience in senior general management, having previously worked at the Port Adelaide Football Club and Adelaide Film Festival, before her current role overseeing Adelaide Fringe’s operations and finance departments as Executive Director – Operations & Finance. Over the past 3 years, … Continued

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Lou Zoanetti Advisory group

Lou Zoanetti

Lou Zoanetti is the Founder and Managing Director of Brightworks, an early careers consultancy dedicated to helping businesses attract, engage, and retain top emerging talent. With 15 years of industry experience, Lou established Brightworks in 2019 to address gaps in early careers strategic advice and create impactful solutions for recruitment and development. Lou’s passion for … Continued

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JenSt Advisory group

JenSt

Jen was inspired to join the National Advisory Group to leverage her lived experience as a mother of four (two neurotypical and two neurodiverse) alongside her professional background in the Compliance and Human Resources sector. Her goal is to enhance employment opportunities for individuals with neurodiversity by addressing barriers to employment and diminishing associated stigmas. … Continued

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Chrissie Advisory group

Chrissie

As a passionate advocate for inclusive workplaces, I’m proud to be part of Autism SA’s inclusive recruitment project. With a strong background in talent acquisition and a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion, I’m dedicated to fostering environments where everyone can reach their full potential. In my current role, I focus on driving employee careers … Continued

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Kate Advisory group

Kate

Kate is a neurodivergent employee living in Melbourne, Victoria. She became involved in this project as she is passionate about improving employment outcomes for neurodivergent folks in general. She has worked in a variety of fields over many years, including working as a medical doctor, in public health, as a photographer, and most recently in … Continued

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Andrew Walton Advisory group

Andrew Walton

I was an Offset Printer and a Production Manager and had a very successful life until burning out in my late 30s. From there I ended up homeless and living in a remote region in the tropics for many years. I finally got a diagnosis at age 55, and a pension and a housing trust … Continued

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James Meldrum Advisory group

James Meldrum

Working across the health and disability sectors for over 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to organisations dedicated to improving lives. My work spans large, publicly listed companies, NFPs, small start-ups, and community organisations, reinforcing my belief in investing in people who deliver critical support services. I’m grateful to have been part of … Continued

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Jeremy Nagel Advisory group

Jeremy Nagel

Jeremy is an AuDHD software developer turned startup founder. He is passionate about helping other neurodivergent people thrive at work. His startup, Focus Bear, is an executive functioning enhancement system for people with ADHD and autism.

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Ian Handley Advisory group

Ian Handley

Ian Handley is a first-time dad of 1, Australian Air Force veteran, organisational development specialist, and business strategist. With over 17 years of experience across multiple sectors, he combines expertise in workforce enablement, change leadership, and customer success with a focus on behavioural neuroscience and diversity. Ian’s unique perspective is rooted in understanding how technology … Continued

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Chrissie Advisory group

Chrissie

I was diagnosed autistic at 26. I am a librarian and also I volunteer regularly with the SA Museum and RSPCA. I loved that this project gave me an opportunity to share my experiences and learn and hear from others. This project has given me more confidence to advocate for myself and put in place … Continued

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Pen Brake Advisory group

Pen Brake

I’m Pen, and I hail from Tassie. I’ve worked with Autism SA in an advisory role priviously, and have also worked as an Autistic Consultant for Autism Tas. I enjoy playing board games, knitting, and spending time with my dog Harry. The loves of my life are my nieces and nephew, who I love having … Continued

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David Plummer Advisory group

David Plummer

Business Development Officer Disability Employment Services David has worked in disability employment services for 15 years and assisted may neuro-diverse people into jobs of their choice and helped create long-lasting careers.

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Sabrina Koetsier Advisory group

Sabrina Koetsier

Sabrina and her husband David run Chess Life Academy and coach chess at schools, libraries and privately for over a decade in South Australia. Her work focuses on an inclusive approach: recruiting and supporting individuals on the autism spectrum for both clients as well as future coaches. Recognizing the unique strengths that neurodiverse individuals bring … Continued

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Dorian Tisato Talent

Dorian Tisato

Learning he was autistic at the age of 19, Dorian was able to find his identity for the first time in his life. Before then, Dorian used to think he was an alien or like Jim Carrey in The Truman Show, but since he found out he is autistic, Dorian came back to reality and … Continued

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Zoran Bekric Talent

Zoran Bekric

Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in 2007 (when that was still a diagnosis), Zoran Bekric has worked in a variety of industries, but is currently employed at Autism SA, where his interest in the history and nature of autism serves him well.          

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Nova Talent

Nova

Autistic. They/star/she. I was diagnosed when I was 8 and am a strong advocate for autism acceptance.        

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Karla Talent

Karla

Neurodivergent She/Her          

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Tanya Kovacs Talent

Tanya Kovacs

Tanya is a HR Manager from Together We Can International Pty Ltd (TWCI) with a focus on creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. I prioritise open communication, employee well-being, and continuous improvement in HR practices. My HR style is collaborative, to ensure that HR policies and practices aligned with the organisation’s goals and values. … Continued

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Australian Spatial Analytics Talent

Australian Spatial Analytics

Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA) is one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing work-integrated social enterprises. Since 2020, ASA has created geospatial and digital engineering careers for more than 150 young neurodivergent adults across Australia. Our work helps solve Australia’s skills shortages and data sovereignty concerns by harnessing an untapped source of highly talented people who perform … Continued

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Our values

Collaboration

We prioritise collaboration from all stakeholders through a co-design process to create a meaningful and effective project.

Inclusion

We genuinely believe in the power of great neurodiversity and the positive impact it has on both individuals and organisations. Our commitment to inclusion is not just a statement—it’s at the heart of everything we do, driving meaningful change and long-term success.

Authenticity

Our resource is designed to be practical, grounded in real-world experiences, and trustworthy. It is relevant, realistic and credible.

Language position statement

Language is a powerful way to promote positivity and to influence perceptions, attitudes and beliefs.  

Language preferences are deeply individual. 

As an organisation, Autism SA is continuously listening and reviewing the use of language relating to autism to ensure that current views are represented in our written and spoken language. 

We strive to identify and reflect an individual’s language preferences whenever possible. 

Neuro-inclusive Recruiting reflects the diverse language preferences of the Autistic community by using both Person-first (“a person on the autism spectrum”) and Identity-first language (“an autistic person”).  

We are committed to continuously seeking feedback from the community. Please direct all feedback to feedback@autismsa.org.au 

“As an employer I believe and have seen that supporting neurodiversity isn’t just about being inclusive, it’s good for business. It attracts a wider talent pool, boosts innovation, improves employee well-being, and reduces costs. In short, it strengthens your employer brand and builds a successful work environment.”

“As a small business we create policies and procedures collaboratively with staff, making sure that the policies are designed for them by them”.

“When you’re in an inclusive workplace people identify and understand the strengths you bring and accommodate work to focus on your strength areas”

“In an inclusive workplace neurodivergent employees should feel that they are understood by staff.”

“Inclusive onboarding for me really enhanced the comfort. Your first day can be really scary as you don’t know what to do, who to meet. At one place started at they told me what the plan was, who I was to meet and gave me clear instructions of where to go which helped me have a plan until the person who was collecting me arrived which made the whole thing a little bit less stressful.”

“I found work tours really helpful when they are part of the interview. It helped me sell myself during the interview as you can look at the types of equipment you will be using and get a better idea of what they want from you and the employer gets to see how you react to the environment”

“Feeling understood by my manager meant that I felt valued by the workplace, and that my unique perspective was valuable. When managers have understood me and my strengths, I have definitely felt more motivated to do my best for the business or company as a result.”

“I’ve noticed that in workplaces I’ve been in positive changes have been really successful when they come from the top down.”

“In the business I work in, to show job seekers that we are inclusive we have inclusivity statements on our website and our job ads. We also offer adjustments and accommodations as part of the recruitment process”

“The advice that I would give to businesses wanting to be inclusive is you have to start somewhere, even with something small. Be open to new ways of thinking and get input from staff to start making inclusive changes. Get it going, get it moving and let’s start doing something.”

“Your workforce needs to reflect your customer base. It really allows your customer base to feel more welcome and like they belong. I have found also that diversity of thought, skills background and knowledge also reduces bias and group think within an organisation, that’s one of the key things I have found”.

‘In an organisational setting, inclusion is seen as a means to improve performance and employee satisfaction. It improves employee loyalty, creative problem solving and teamwork.

“In my previous role I did not disclose this information because I was already having difficulties with colleagues. In my current role I have disclosed to team members I am comfortable with.”

Autism SA completed a National Survey in 2023, where 72 neurodivergent people were asked if they had disclosed during the recruitment process or in a workplace. 33% shared that they had not disclosed, 40% said that they had disclosed their diagnosis, while 26% partly disclosed.

“I love sharing my experience of being on the spectrum with people. It’s all about awareness”

“The number one thing that neurodivergent jobseekers look for when determining if an organisation is inclusive, is inclusive statements and language”

“Inclusive workplaces enhance teamwork and collaboration by valuing diverse contributions and perspectives.”

“Neurodiverse workplaces better reflect and understand the needs and preferences of diverse groups of people. This helps to expand the market and customer base and provide a wider range of products and services.”

“A diverse workforce is able to tackle a wide range of work challenges, thereby increasing overall efficiency and productivity.”

“This diversity can promote innovation and creativity, as different ways of thinking can lead to different perspectives and approaches to problem solving.”

“As an autistic employee, feeling valued motivates me to do my best”

“Inclusive recruitment has allowed us to build a diverse talent pipeline, ensuring our organisation’s long-term success.”

Neuro-inclusive Recruiting is an initiative of Autism SA

Neuro-inclusive Recruiting is an initiative of Autism SA. As Australia’s longest-standing autism peak body, Autism SA offers a range of supports and services to empower individuals and promote inclusion. Learn more about Autism SA .