As political rhetoric intensified ahead of the UK’s local elections, neurodivergent individuals are once again being dragged into culture war debates — misrepresented, misunderstood, and used as political props.
As someone who is autistic and who has spent over 30 years advising senior leaders in the UK and internationally, I can state unequivocally: autism is not a defect — it’s a different, often exceptional, way of thinking. It brings strengths our society and economy sorely need.
At a campaign event in Dover, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claimed that people with neurodevelopmental differences may never “get out” of victimhood. He implied that the professionals supporting these individuals are weakening British society. This isn’t just misinformed rhetoric. It’s inflammatory and deeply damaging.
Rather than handling a sensitive issue with empathy and facts, Farage reduced a complex and human experience into a political wedge. His claim that families or schools are manipulating the system for benefits isn’t merely false; it stigmatises parents and carers and erodes already fragile support systems.
A troubling pattern
Let’s be clear: autism isn’t a passing trend. It’s a neurodevelopmental difference with lifelong implications. This kind of rhetoric isn’t new, and it fits into a troubling pattern. The rise in diagnoses doesn’t point to overdiagnosis; it reflects long-overdue recognition, especially of girls and those who don’t fit outdated stereotypes.
Farage’s remarks reflect a familiar pattern: the scapegoating of immigrants, minorities, and now neurodivergent people, as easy targets for deeper systemic failures. But neurodivergence is not the problem. The problem is a society still unwilling to adapt to, support, or understand difference.
In my role as Chairwoman of Holmes Noble, a global executive search firm, I’ve seen first-hand the enormous value neurodivergent professionals bring to business. Autistic individuals and others with cognitive differences like ADHD or dyslexia are often systems thinkers, innovators, and challengers of groupthink. They bring resilience, pattern recognition, and unique insights that can drive business and social transformation.
Neurodivergence as a resource
According to Deloitte, teams with neurodivergent professionals can be up to 30% more productive. Harvard Business Review calls neurodiversity a “competitive advantage” in the innovation economy. These findings should encourage HR leaders and organisations to consider how inclusive hiring and tailored support strategies can unlock this potential — not just for individuals, but for business performance overall.
This is why Farage’s rhetoric is so damaging. It doesn’t just reinforce stigma; it blinds the country to a vast reservoir of untapped potential.
Across industries, finance, tech, engineering, education, and the arts, neurodivergent professionals are thriving. They are students who push boundaries, entrepreneurs who reimagine possibility, and leaders who deliver results with insight and integrity.
I didn’t achieve success despite being autistic; I achieved success because I am autistic. My deep focus, ability to challenge assumptions, and comfort with complexity are not flaws. They are the foundations of my leadership. So when a public figure describes people like me as part of a victim class, I don’t just take it personally — I take it as a call to action.
Reframing the narrative
We must reframe this narrative. Neurodiversity is not something to be managed or tolerated, it’s something to be embraced and harnessed. The challenge isn’t that more people are being diagnosed. The challenge is that our systems still haven’t evolved to support them.
This isn’t about political correctness. It’s about economic growth, social equity, and building a smarter, more sustainable future. Neurodivergent individuals aren’t a burden, they’re central to the solution.
Farage’s comments show how far we still have to go, but they also reinforce why this work matters. If we want a more innovative, productive, and just society, we must stop listening to those who diminish difference and start learning from those who live it.
Neurodivergent people are not a “class of victims.” We are Entrepreneurs. Innovators. Strategists. Visionaries. Inclusive Leaders. Catalysts for change. And we’re reshaping the future of work — for the benefit of all.
With almost three decades of experience in recruitment and talent advisory, including over twenty-five years in leadership, Michelle Carson has dedicated her career to building diverse and high-performing leadership teams.
As a passionate advocate for neurodivergent inclusion in the workplace, she draws from her own experiences of living with autism and ADHD to drive meaningful change in business and leadership.