Great minds who think differently: when neurodiversity is an asset for companies

Manuel Aidos’ path is written with determination and resilience. Autism was formally diagnosed as a teenager, but it did not limit his ambition to grow professionally and be independent. At 38 years old, with a degree in Computer Engineering, he is studying for a master’s degree in Information Systems and is one of 22 neurodiverse professionals recruited by the technology company Critical Software, as part of the Neurodiversity Program that the company led by João Carreira, brought to Portugal in 2021 Manuel calls himself “integrated”. And he knows the weight of the word well: “my biggest difficulty is socialization, that’s what made me not adapt to other previous professional experiences”, he explains to Express.

Cases like Manuel’s are common, with integration being highlighted by experts consulted by the Express as one of the biggest difficulties faced by neurodiverse profiles in a professional context. This is not just the lack of knowledge on the part of employers, but also the lack of preparation of the teams where professionals are integrated. A path that companies like Critical Software, Critical Techworks, NOS and others are trying to change. On the date that marks World Autism Awareness Day, this Tuesday, April 2, the experts interviewed by the Express They talk about inclusion and what needs to be done in this area.