Neurodiversity and Entrepreneurship

The concept of neurodiversity presents neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, as natural variations of human cognition rather than deficits. Adopting a strength-based approach to understanding neurodivergent individuals has significant implications for the field of entrepreneurship, as it highlights the unique skills and perspectives that neurodivergent entrepreneurs can bring to the table. Although there are no certain statistics regarding the prevalence of neurodiverse entrepreneurs, research and popular media alike suggest that entrepreneurship is an occupation that attracts the neurodivergent (e.g., Wiklund et al., 2017; Logan, 2009). Given the struggles that many neurodivergent individuals face in the regular labor market, such research can present an alternative, brighter, and more hopeful image of neurodiversity in the workplace. In this chapter, we discuss the relationship between neurodiversity and entrepreneurship by examining the literature on ADHD, autism, and dyslexia in relation to entrepreneurial activities. In addition, we explore the implications of this research for intervention programs and strategies aimed at supporting neurodivergent entrepreneurs.