How To Present Neurodiversity on Your CV

A person’s curriculum vitae (CV) is a chance to summarize their experiences. It lists which schools and universities they attended, which jobs they’ve held, and which qualifications they have for jobs they’re applying to. However, there is one question neurodivergent individuals can find themselves asking when writing their CV: How do I present my neurodiversity?

Oftentimes, a neurodiverse individual’s strengths come from their condition, like how many autistic individuals are great at recognizing patterns. However, a neurodiverse condition can be something that’s only disclosed when someone else needs to know about it. So when, if at all, do you mention your neurodiversity in your CV?

In this post, I will cover some neurodivergent CV tips for presenting neurodiversity. I’ll cover if you should mention your neurodiversity, how to showcase your strengths without disclosing, when and how to discuss adjustments, and some additional writing tips.

Should I Mention Neurodiversity on my CV?

The best answer for whether to mention your neurodiversity in your CV is that it depends. For example, if you are showing your CV to a company that’s known to be inclusive towards neurodivergent people, then feel free to mention your condition.

Even if you mention your neurodiversity to a company that isn’t known for inclusivity, you’ll be given rights by the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act 2010 protects employees and job applicants from direct and indirect discrimination, including people with disabilities. These protections grant a layer of safety to anyone deciding to mention their condition in their CV.

However, even with these rights, there may be situations where you may not want to mention your neurodiversity. You may not want people to define you by your neurodiversity or worry about their reactions. Maybe you don’t think it’s necessary to mention your neurodiversity when making yourself marketable to a company.

Disclosure is a personal choice, and based on the situation, you get to decide how much or how little you bring up your neurodiversity. Again, disclosing your neurodiversity is about context and preference.

How To Showcase Neurodivergent Strengths Without Disclosing

If you’re unsure about mentioning your neurodiversity, then the good news is that you can still discuss your strengths without referencing it. All you need to do is describe your job-relevant skills without mentioning their neurodivergent source.

Your strengths should also be backed by evidence. For example, if you have a strong attention to detail, then you should cite situations where it came in handy, like a previous job. This evidence will help convince potential employers that this skill can make you a valuable asset for the company.

When and How to Talk About Reasonable Adjustments

Your CV can also be a good time to ask for reasonable adjustments. Many neurodivergent individuals appreciate adjustments that improve their ability to work. Adjustments can range from requesting recorded instructions to having access to a fidget tool.

Adjustments can be requested at three stages: in your application, interview, or after the offer. Whichever stage you choose should be based on what seems like the safest option. If you go the application route, you can mention adjustments in your CV by explaining how certain conditions help you work. For example, if you work better in quieter environments, then mention that.

You should also be careful about how you frame any adjustments you request in your CV. They should not be framed as requests. Instead, you should frame them from a work performance perspective.

Additional Neurodivergent CV-Writing Tips

We’ve figured out when and how to discuss neurodivergence in your CV. All that’s left is to take this knowledge and put it into words. Here’s some writing tips for how to incorporate this information into your CV:

Keep Track of Which Information You Want to Include

As your academic or professional career progresses, you should keep track of your experiences and how neurodiversity plays into them. Having this information on hand will help you whenever you need to create a new draft.

Be Clear and Concise

Clear, concise writing is an important skill to develop. Clarity allows readers to easily understand your message while concision keeps your writing focused.

Adjust Based on the Situation

Your CV is not a static entity. It can be adjusted as you develop more skills and job experience. You can also edit your CV based on the job you’re applying for. Therefore, you can choose whether to disclose your neurodiversity on a case by case basis.

Proofread

Review everything you’ve added to your CV to make sure it’s understandable and lacks incorrect spelling and grammar. There are many ways to edit your CV from reading it aloud to getting someone else to read it and provide feedback.

If you want to send us your CV for review or job opportunities, then feel free to do so here.

Conclusion

Disclosure is a personal choice where each situation has factors affecting the situation. When it comes to someone mentioning their neurodiversity in their CV, all it comes down to is what company they are applying for and if they want to reveal that information.

Fortunately, deciding against mentioning your neurodiversity doesn’t prevent you from showcasing your strengths or requesting support. It instead means you have to be smart about your language so you can sell yourself without mentioning a condition.

Regardless of how you choose to present your neurodiversity, remember that there is no right or wrong answer. All that matters is looking at the context your CV will be read in and making the decision you’ll be most comfortable with.

Were these neurodivergent CV tips helpful? Feel free to mention if this post helped you in the comments below. If you’re interested in additional career training, then check out Exceptional Individuals’ career training programme.

References

Acas (2023) The Law on Disability Discrimination Accessed from https://www.acas.org.uk/disability-discrimination

CV Writing Tips (2026) University of Wisconsin – Madison Accessed from https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/cv/

How to Write a CV National Careers Service (2020) Accessed from https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/cv-sections