Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals

    MIAMI, FL, August 20, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- When Haley Moss was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the age of three, her parents were told that she might not ever finish high school or earn a driver's license. Today she is a lawyer, neurodiversity expert, author, and consultant to top corporations and nonprofits that seek her guidance in creating a diverse workplace. Her latest book, "Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals" (ABA Book Publishing; June 2021) offers an in-depth look at how inclusivity, diversity, and empathy can create a more equitable, effective, and productive legal field.

Approximately 15 to 20 percent of people are neurodivergent — having one of a collection of lifelong conditions that affect how their brains work. Neurodivergence includes autism spectrum disorders, neurodevelopmental disabilities such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities such as dyslexia, and Tourette syndrome. Also included are mental health disabilities such as schizophrenia and depression, and acquired differences in the brain such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries.

In "Great Minds Think Differently," Haley details how to better appreciate and accommodate neurodivergent professionals, as well as witnesses, and other disabled individuals who may interface with lawyers. She offers the unique perspective of a lawyer who herself has autism, granting insights into the workplace experience of someone who is neurodivergent. Haley explains why a neurodiverse workforce is beneficial to businesses (including law firms) and invites innovation and progress that might not otherwise be achieved. Inequities found in law schools are also addressed.

This comprehensive and insightful guide includes a wealth of commentary from experts, and covers topics including:

• The language of neurodiversity and disability
• Neurodiverse law students
• Recruitment of neurodiverse lawyers and staff
• Navigating successful disclosure for all
• Unlearning bias and discrimination
• Neurodivergent and taking the stand

"Great Minds Think Differently" offers a comprehensive guide to understanding the experience of neurodiverse individuals in the workplace, and how neurotypical individuals can better accommodate their disabled colleagues and clients. It not only advocates for diversity in the interest of equity, but presents evidence that by hiring a neurodiverse workforce, businesses are likely to boost profits and public perception, benefiting themselves as much as they do new hires. Haley also details the importance of a workplace that continues to support neurodiverse staff so that they may build careers, rather than leaving the job soon after being hired due to disability-related challenges.

"A lot of people see diversity and inclusion as a checkbox," says Haley. "We may think that once we give somebody who is neurodivergent or disabled a job that our work is done. That is just the beginning. People want careers. They do not just want a job. People want to feel valued and respected and loved for who they are."

About: Haley Moss is a lawyer, neurodiversity expert, and the author of four books that guide neurodivergent individuals through professional and personal challenges. She is a consultant to top corporations and nonprofits that seek her guidance in creating a diverse workplace, and a sought-after commentator on disability rights issues. The first openly autistic lawyer in Florida, Haley's books include "Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals'' (ABA Book Publishing; June 2021) and "The Young Autistic Adult's Independence Handbook" (Jessica Kingsley Publishers; November 2021). Her articles have appeared in outlets including the Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and Fast Company. Learn more at HaleyMoss.co.

For more information, visit the online press kit HaleyMoss.OnlinePressKit247.com. To request an interview with Haley Moss, contact International Publicist Michelle Tennant Nicholson: [email protected] or 828-749-3200.

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