Join us in celebrating Public Service Neurodiversity Week
From October 20-24, 2025, ACFO-ACAF will be celebrating the second annual Public Service Neurodiversity Week (PSNW) by highlighting the resources we’ve developed to support neurodivergent members of the CT Community.
We know there are a large number of neurodiverse professionals in our community, which is why at ACFO-ACAF, we’re doing our part to make the public service a more inclusive place for everyone.
Over the past year, we’ve developed and shared several resources to help members explore what neurodiversity is, understand the challenges that neurodivergent people face in the workplace, and learn how you can be an ally to the neurodivergent people in your life.
Those resources include:
- A comprehensive guide for neurodivergent employees, titled Thinking Differently at Work; and
- A series of webinars facilitated by experts and contributors to the guide.
ACFO-ACAF members can access these resources using the information outlined below.
Thinking Differently at Work, a guide for neurodivergent employees
In February of 2025, ACFO-ACAF released a comprehensive guide for neurodivergent employees, titled Thinking Differently at Work, in collaboration with neurodivergent authors, subject matter experts, and allies. The guide is designed to support neurodivergent CTs at every stage of their employment journey, offering practical guidance for navigating the workplace while requesting necessary support and advocating for an inclusive work environment.
More specifically, the guide details:
- What it means to be neurodivergent;
- What ADHD, dyslexia, and autism look like at work;
- How to pursue a diagnosis as an adult;
- The process for disclosing neurodivergence;
- Why securing workplace accommodations is essential; and
- How to leverage professional development for neurodivergent career growth.
The guide is available in both PDF and plain text formats, which you can access using the links below:
Neurodiversity webinars
In the weeks following the launch of the guide, ACFO-ACAF hosted a series of webinars to help members explore its main themes. These sessions were facilitated by the contributors to the guide. Each presenter had the opportunity to share insights from their chapter and answer questions from the audience.
Our facilitators have graciously allowed us to share various aspects of their presentations with the CT Community. You can view the available resources below:
- “What is Neurodiversity” with Dr. Jennifer Fane from the Conference Board of Canada:
- “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at Work” with Dr. Gurdeep Parhar of the Adult ADHD Centre:
- Slides (recording unavailable)
- “Know Your Rights: Disclosing your Condition and Workplace Adaptations” with ACFO-ACAF’s Director of Job Evaluation and Equity, Stéphanie Rochon Perras:
- “Leveraging Professional Development for Neurodivergent Career Growth” with ACFO-ACAF’s Learning and Development Specialist, Megan Walter, and ACFO-ACAF’s Director of Job Evaluation and Equity, Stéphanie Rochon Perras:
Going forward
At ACFO-ACAF, we recognize the valuable contributions that neurodivergent individuals make in the public service, which is why we’re committed to advocating for a more inclusive and supportive workplace.
If you have questions about navigating the workplace as a neurodivergent person, we encourage you to reach out to our Labour Relations team at labourrelations@acfo-acaf.com. We’re here to ensure you have access to the resources and support you need to succeed.