Creative Spirit

On Sunday, November 15, the Bellevue Theatre in Montclair, NJ will host a free screening of “I Got Next”, a new short film about a 13-year-old girl with Williams Syndrome who dreams of playing on her local recreational center’s basketball team. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the production team, along with Gianna Morello, a Creative Spirit candidate who served as a mentee behind-the-scenes, and representatives from PerformCare and PerformCare NJ, who sponsored the film. “I Got Next” had its world premiere at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood, during the 26th annual Dances with Films festival, with a full-length version in development. The film exemplifies the positive representation that can destigmatize disability, which in turn translates into more inclusive workplaces and fair-wage employment. You can sign up for the film screening here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…. #HireDifferent #IGotNext #Neurodiversity

Coinciding with October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Los Angeles County launched a Neurodiversity at Work initiative to expand employment for people who are neurodivergent. According to a press release, the initiative begins with a cohort of 25 neurodivergent jobseekers recruited by NeuroWorks, a nonprofit supporting employment for people on the autism spectrum. After a 2 week virtual job-readiness program, the candidates move on to paid positions through Los Angeles County’s Career Development Internship program. The effort is being launched in tandem with the nonprofit NeuroTalent Works, the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities, and the seven Regional Centers serving Los Angeles County. The new Los Angeles program follows the example of other Neurodiversity at Work efforts launched by major companies to include individuals who are neurodivergent. These efforts are needed to create a paradigm shift in fair-wage employment for the neurodivergent community. You can learn more here: lacounty.gov/2026/10/29/ever…. To support neurodivergent employment, you can contact Creative Spirit for more info at [email protected]. #HireDifferent #NeurodiversityatWork #CreativeSpirit

61% of managers say they feel prepared to support employees who disclose being on the autism spectrum, according to a new, first-of-its-kind national survey from NEXT for Autism. However, only 33% of managers feel confident about navigating the process of providing workplace accommodations for employees who are neurodivergent. These findings show a conspicuous gap between the readiness of most employers to support employees who are neurodivergent and the knowledge and training still needed. Creative Spirit has the resources and expertise to provide both. Learn more about HireDifferent Academy, our comprehensive training and certification program that works directly with companies to fully include employees who are neurodivergent: httpss://www.creativespirit-us.org/hiredifferent-academy/. You can also read about NEXT for Autism’s full report here: finance.yahoo.com/small-busi…. #HireDifferent #Neurodiversity #Employment

In recent years, appreciation has grown for the skills and talents neurodivergent employees bring to the workplace, including a strong work ethic, exceptional memories, and expert attention to detail. Many major companies, including Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, and JPMorgan Chase, have implemented programs to train and hire those individuals. Unfortunately, the unemployment rate for individuals who are neurodivergent is still far too high. One path to resolving this issue is allowing the input of those employees to actually reshape how companies approach accessibility and inclusion. In this original article, we explore strategies for implementing a “co-design” approach, and how it ultimately benefits everyone, greatly enhancing efficiency and productivity in how companies operate. You can read the article here: creativespirit-us.org/neurod… #HireDifferent #Neurodiversity #Accessibility

Millions of skilled, talented, and highly qualified neurodivergent individuals are ready to start working, contributing a vital competitive advantage. We refer to these individuals as Gen Neu, the next generation of neurodivergent talent. They bring diverse perspectives, innovative approaches to problem-solving, stronger team dynamics, higher retention rates, and much more to every organization. Creative Spirit has the expertise and resources to help you transform your workplace culture, making the skills and talents of neurodivergent professionals a part of your own team. You can learn more by contacting us at [email protected], and by visiting us at creativespirit-us.org/hiredi… to learn more about HireDifferent Academy, our comprehensive training and certification program that can help you build a fully inclusive and accessible workforce. #HireDifferent #Neurodiversity #Employment

Transforming employment for the neurodivergent community depends on recognizing a simple, yet profound truth: that people, including those who are neurodivergent, are much more than just labels or the name of a specific diagnosis. Understanding and appreciating the individuality of neurodivergent employees and jobseekers can completely change how companies approach accessibility and inclusion, improving the workplace for everyone. Since our founding in 2017, Creative Spirit has encouraged companies to embrace that “person-first” approach to neurodiversity, understanding that each person has their own unique needs, experiences, and preferences. Through our HireDifferent Academy, our comprehensive training and certification program, we work with companies of all sizes to help them normalize neurodiversity in the workplace, creating huge economic boosts in the process. You can learn more by contacting us at [email protected], and by visiting us here: creativespirit-us.org/hiredi…. #HireDifferent #Neurodiversity #Employment

Just over a month later, we’re still reflecting on the incredible evening we shared with our community at our annual Creative Spirit Gala. As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, our gala theme—Gen Neu—feels more relevant than ever. Gen Neu represents the current generation of neurodivergent professionals who are ready to reshape the future of work and drive workplace innovation despite facing ongoing barriers of unemployment and underemployment. Together, we can build a future where talent is fully recognized, opportunity is equitable, and true inclusion is the standard across every organization. We are deeply grateful to the neurodiversity champions and leaders who joined us to advance Creative Spirit’s mission. If you weren’t able to join us, learn about how you can support our mission and get involved with Creative Spirit: creativespirit-us.org/make-a… #HireDifferent #GenNeu #Employment #Neurodiversity #NeurodiverseEmployment #NDEAM #Neurodivergent #FutureofWork

On November 14th, Creative Spirit Co-founder Laurel Rossi will be honored with the “Tree of Life” award for her work with Creative Spirit at the AGF Grant “Night of Love and Celebration” Gala. The event, hosted by the Anthony Filipazzo Grant (AFG) for Williams Syndrome Research, is focused on research advancement for Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting 1 in 7,500 to 10,000 people worldwide. We are so proud of our co-founder, Laurel, for this well-deserved, incredible honor, and everything she has done to support and uplift the neurodivergent community. You can learn more about and support this incredible event here: e.givesmart.com/events/NQl/. #HireDifferent #WilliamsSyndrome #Neurodiversity #Gala #CreativeSpirit

Many employers, including major companies like Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, Hewlett-Packard, and others, are recognizing the importance of neurodiversity at work, and how much neurodivergent employees contribute. However, recognition is only the first step. One way for companies to make a difference is not only by implementing clear, practical policies that include neurodivergent employees, but by enabling those employees to become co-partners in enhancing accessibility and inclusion. This can be achieved in many ways, including, but not limited to, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), self-advocacy platforms, sensory control adjustments, and allowing neurodivergent employees to co-design physical and digital spaces through structured workplace needs assessments, rather than relying on HR to fix everything from the top. Creative Spirit has the expertise, tools, and resources to help you build and maintain that employer/employee collaboration. You can contact us at [email protected], and visit this link creativespirit-us.org/hiredi… to learn more about HireDifferent Academy, our comprehensive compliance, training, and certification program that helps companies embrace the skills and talents of employees who are neurodivergent. #HireDifferent #Neurodiversity #HireDifferentAcademy

Sensory overload is one of the most common challenges for many individuals who are neurodivergent, particularly those on the autism spectrum. One company making a difference is AMC, through its Sensory Friendly Screenings initiative. Introduced through a partnership with the Autism Society of America, the program creates a more inclusive, sensory-friendly environment by dimming lights and lowering the volume, as well as allowing guests to sing, get up, walk, dance, or shout. This accessible, sensory-friendly approach can be applied to workplaces, where neurodivergent employees are often overwhelmed by bright lights, loud noises, and other distractions. Even small adjustments to make workplaces less overstimulating can boost productivity at low cost. You can reach out to us at [email protected] to learn more about how Creative Spirit can connect you with fair-wage employment, as well as helping to build an accessible, sensory-friendly workplace. #HireDifferent #Neurodiversity #AMC

Through their neurodiversity hiring program (introduced in 2015), Microsoft has emerged as a leader in fully including and onboarding employees who are neurodivergent. The program’s hiring process is unique. Rather than consisting of one interview, neurodivergent candidates attend a hiring event where they learn about the experience of working for Microsoft; build vital skills; gain interview practice; and meet other employees hired through the program, as well as a recruiter, job coaches, and other members of the neurodivergent community. This approach offers a viable alternative to exhausting, high-pressure interviews that often screen out neurodivergent candidates by focusing on social performance, rather than skills and expertise. In short, Microsoft’s hiring events offer the same bar to hiring a candidate, minus the stress and anxiety. This approach can and should be emulated by other companies as well. Creative Spirit has encouraged alternative approaches to interviewing and hiring neurodivergent individuals since our founding in 2017. If your company is interested in building a neurodivergent hiring process like the one used by Microsoft and other companies, you can visit us at creativespirit-us.org/ to get started. #HireDifferent #Microsoft #Neurodiversity

Neurodivergent Employees Are Reshaping the Workforce. What’s Your Game Plan for Hiring them? 53% of Gen Z identify as neurodivergent, according to a 2023 Zen Business survey. This generation - which we call “Gen Neu” - represents not only the workforce of the future, but the hiring pipelines, project teams, and leadership tracks that drive companies today. Our question today is: does your company have a strategy to fully include that talent? With our comprehensive training, coaching, job placement, and mentorship services, including our HireDifferent Academy program, Creative Spirit helps major companies improve their recruitment processes to include individuals who are neurodivergent. It’s time to fulfill the promise of full accessibility and inclusion. Partner with Creative Spirit today: [email protected] #HireDifferent #Neurodiversity #Employment

Last week, Creative Spirit co-founder/board chair Laurel Rossi joined SalientMG CEO Mack McKelvey for a special Breakthrough Summit as part of Advertising Week (Oct. 5 - 8, 2026). We discussed Gen Neu, Creative Spirit’s term for the current generation of neurodivergent professionals reshaping the workforce of tomorrow and today. “We told this generation, who is entering the workforce right now, when they were 2 years old, that they could be anything they want to be. And the truth of the matter is they cannot. And the truth of the matter is they cannot. And so if you are neurodivergent, you are likely well on your way to be underemployed or unemployed, even if you’ve gone to the best schools, you’ve punched above your weight, you’ve done all those things. And so the optimistic side of Gen Neu is, we need those diverse thinkers at the table…we need to make that promise true.” #HireDifferent #GenNeu #Neurodivergent

This Neurodivergent Generation Were Told They Could Achieve Anything. Let’s Make that Promise a Reality. Gen Neu describes the current generation of neurodivergent professionals, who are reshaping the future of employment. They are a generation raised to believe they could achieve anything, but they’ve been held back by outdated hiring practices, vague job requirements, and other systemic barriers. Creative Spirit is helping to change that. Through our coaching and job placement services, along with HireDifferent Academy, our comprehensive compliance and certification program, we work directly with companies to help them overhaul their hiring practices, drawing on the skills and talent of neurodivergent professionals. It’s time to move beyond traditional workforce development and build neurodiverse teams for the future. Schedule a meeting with us to get started together: [email protected] #HireDifferent #Neurodiversity #HireDifferentAcademy

Despite being highly skilled, talented, and qualified, more than 60 million Americans who are neurodivergent are facing unemployment rates as high as 30 - 40%. This problem is too big and too complex to be solved alone. It requires a robust network, or ecosystem, of nonprofits, advocates, companies, and business leaders dedicated to making a difference. In this original article, we explore how nonprofits in particular are uniquely equipped to help build and maintain a neurodivergent employment network. We also delve into why building those networks is so crucial, and most importantly, how to actually create them. You can read the full article by clicking here: creativespirit-us.org/buildi… Alt-Text: Graphic with multi-colored blocks showing different stages of neurodiverse employment process (Title: "The Employment Network: Stages of Progress") #HireDifferent #Neurodiversity #Employment

53% of Gen Z identifies as neurodivergent, according to research from Deloitte and Forbes.com, along with 20% of the U.S. workforce. This means that embracing cognitive diversity, with the skills and talents neurodivergent professionals contribute, is an essential pathway to growth for every organization. Unfortunately, many companies are held back from accessing those skills and talents, due to outdated hiring models, vague, poorly worded job descriptions, and a lack of training and understanding around neurodiversity. Creative Spirit can change that. We are a highly experienced, skilled, and dedicated team who have spent almost a decade working to transform employment for the neurodivergent community. Don’t wait: partner with Creative Spirit today. Work with us to source, hire, and train your next generation of top-tier talent. Visit CreativeSpirit-us.org to transform your workforce. #HireDifferent #Neurodiversity #Employment

Congratulations to Pfizer, winner of Creative Spirit's 2026 Corporate Champion of Neurodiversity Award! Pfizer exemplifies how neuroinclusion can be woven into the fabric of an organization. Through thoughtful leadership, a commitment to accessibility, and a focus on creating environments where people can thrive, Pfizer is helping to expand opportunities for neurodivergent talent and fostering a culture where different ways of thinking are valued and celebrated. We're honored to recognize Pfizer as our Corporate Champion of Neurodiversity. As Havas CEO Donna Murphy put it while presenting the award: "That's a culture built on purpose, and it shows." We are honored to celebrate an organization that isn't just setting the standard for neuroinclusion—they are proving what's possible. #HireDifferent #Neurodiversity #GenNeu (tag @Pfizer) Alt-Text: Left to right, bottom: Nicole Griffin, Erin Licari, Lee-Jung Kim, Chris Desiano Left to right, top: Jatinder, Michael Braun, Margaret (Maggi) Madden, Gwen Ponder, Paul Esperance, Robert Stroud, Durga Yulari Alt text: Guests pose around a banquet table at the Creative Spirit GenNeu Gala 2026. Seated, left to right: Nicole Griffin, Erin Licari, Lee-Jung Kim, and Chris Desiano. Standing, left to right: Jatinder Singh, Michael Braun, Maggi Madden, Gwen Ponder, Paul Esperance, Robert Stroud, and Durga Yulari.

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Creative Spirit is offering your team a Lunch & Learn on Neurodiversity at Work. In just 30 minutes, your team will learn about: The business impact of neurodiversity How Gen Z is shaping a rise in neurodivergent disclosure Practical insights shared by people with lived experience This year's NDEAM theme, "Celebrating Value and Talent," centers on recognizing the unique strengths neurodivergent professionals bring to the workplace. Much of that exceptional skill and talent is already part of your team. It’s embodied by a new generation, which we call GEN NEU, defined not by birth year but by their ability to think in creative and unorthodox ways. At Creative Spirit, we connect employers with qualified neurodivergent individuals, prepare teams through HireDifferent Academy, our compliance and certification program, and offer ongoing coaching after every placement. Comment “October” and our team will reply to schedule a time to connect. #HireDifferent #NDEAM #Neurodiversity