This toolbox talk highlights that construction is an industry of brilliant problem-solvers, many of whom are neurodivergent (having conditions like ADHD, Dyslexia, or Autism). We know this because surveys suggest as many as 1 in 4 construction workers are neurodivergent, drawn to the sector's demands for 3D thinking, pattern recognition, and hyperfocus. These traits represent a "spiky profile" of exceptional strengths that drive innovation and quality on site. To leverage this cognitive strength, we must commit to simple, visible support—like providing noise-cancelling headphones, offering written instructions, or establishing a quiet break space—and encourage an open culture where everyone feels safe to ask, "What would make my job easier right now?" By doing so, we fulfill both our legal and moral obligations, making the site safer, smarter, and more productive.

The construction industry relies heavily on brilliant problem-solvers with unique skills like 3D visualization and pattern recognition, making it a natural fit for neurodivergent talent (including individuals with ADHD, Dyslexia, and Autism), whose prevalence in the sector is significantly higher than the general population. This neurodiverse advantage—the "spiky profile" of skills that provides exceptional aptitude in areas like hyperfocus and spatial awareness—is crucial for success, yet many of these workers struggle with invisible hurdles like sensory overload and difficulties with executive function. Therefore, construction companies have a both a commercial imperative and a legal and moral obligation under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments and foster a culture where simple support measures are implemented to leverage this powerful, detail-oriented workforce.

This article includes statistics, toolbox talks for managers and workers and links to further information and support. 

This article highlights the significant presence of neurodivergent individuals within the UK construction industry—with figures suggesting as many as 1 in 4 workers and 46% of project professionals identify as such. Despite this, many face considerable challenges, including a lack of empathy, fear of stigma preventing disclosure, and missed opportunities for support during hiring. This often leads to "masking" and potential burnout, underscoring the urgent need for targeted initiatives. By fostering open conversations and providing specific support, similar to successful mental health campaigns in the sector, the industry can unlock the unique strengths of its neurodivergent workforce—such as strong problem-solving and attention to detail—creating a more inclusive, understanding, and productive environment for everyone.

Embracing neurodiversity in construction offers significant benefits like increased productivity, innovation, and a broader talent pool, while also promoting job satisfaction and social equity. To fully leverage these advantages, companies need to raise awareness, adapt the work environment, foster inclusive communication, and understand legal obligations, ultimately unlocking the unique strengths of neurodivergent individuals for greater success.

This report by On The Tools, published in March 2023, found that 93% of UK tradespeople have been impacted by mental ill health in some way, with 73% of all UK tradespeople surveyed experiencing mental ill health right now or in the past. A further 20% hadn’t personally experienced mental ill health but knew another tradesperson who had.

Why would you hire someone who is neurodivergent to work in your construction business?

Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2025 got SC4 Director, Katy Hall, reflecting on just that question.

If you don't work harder at school you'll end up on a building site.

How many boys (and girls) heard this and thought "that's not the career for me"?

This article discusses how can changing attitudes towards neurodivergence and those with creative skills can help relieve skills shortages in the Construction Industry.

And that we should be valuing these skills in childhood and pride in neurodivergent people, not knocking them for the very skills the industry needs.

This ADHD Productivity Cheat Sheet includes 10 Tips to Boost Productivity for Neurodivergent People, because standard methodologies, tips and tricks aimed at neurotypical brains don't work and can leave someone who is neurodivergent feeling like a failure.

Katy Hall is a neurodivergent (ND) woman who has been working in technology & construction since the 1980s. In this article she shares how being neurodivergent affects her and the benefits she believes she brings to her role.

Two 2023 surveys from the Association of Project Managers and On the Tools suggest that around half of Construction Project Managers and Tradespeople describe themselves as Neurodivergent. 

Reassuringly, 9 out of 10 Neurodivergent Project Managers in Construction say their employers have made changes to accommodate their needs.

Whether you are a business owner, manager, or employee, we all have a part to play in creating a more welcoming and inclusive work environment within our industry. As business owners, it is easy to make all the right moves in our attempts to hire a more diverse team of tradespeople and on-site operatives, but what happens when they quit due to bullying, discrimination, or lack of accessibility?

New research from National Federation of Builders, published in August 2023 in conjunction with CITB, has discovered that neurodiversity is common amongst construction workers in the UK and being neurodivergent is encouraging people to pursue a career in construction. SC4 Carpenters Ltd employs neurodivergent people at all levels from Directors to Carpenters and Decorators on site and believes they bring a lot of benefits to our business.

In this article, Katy Hall discusses neurodiversity in construction and how to build a neurodiverse work culture. Many people working within SC4 Carpenters from Directors to tradespeople, and within the Construction Industry as a whole, are neurodivergent, including Katy herself. Many of the challenges faced by ND people are invisible - don't assume everyone else is ok, just because you are not struggling with the working environment.

In this article, SC4 Carpenters Ltd Owner/Director talks more about her nomination as a UK Construction Week Role Model in 2023 and why the promotion of women, neurodiversity and equity in construction is so important. When I first started out there were very few women in construction and in fact it took me many years to understand that I was working in the construction industry.

During Neurodiversity Celebration Week, 13 -19 March 2023, Katy Hall, Owner/Director of SC4 Carpenters Ltd, considers the pros and cons of being neurodivergent, including the many benefits neurodiversity brings to the company as well as the difficulties neurodivergent people face. In construction , neurodiversity is more common than you probably realise and frequently an advantage.

In this article, Conrad Hall, owner/Director of SC4 Carpenters Lt discusses his 40 year career in construction and how his dyslexia and neurodiversity has contributed to his success. In January 2022, when I received my NVQ 7 in Senior Construction Management it was validation for years of hard work, experience and building belief in myself.

Results of an American Study identifies working as a Carpenter as one of the Top Jobs for a person with Dyslexia due to greater awareness of spatial relationships. Dyslexia is a learning disability that makes it difficult to read and write words. Sometimes dyslexics transpose words or mix up numbers they are trying to read. This can lead to difficulty in the workplace.