Neurodivergent Thinking in Food Safety: Implications for Practice, Performance, and Inclusion

May 20, 2026 (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Eastern Time)

Webinar Description

Organized by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council

Recent evidence in a 2021 literature review suggests that the reported prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has risen globally since 2012, likely reflecting broader diagnostic criteria and increased public awareness. In addition, a 2023 review estimated that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 3.1% of adults worldwide. Although ASD and ADHD are associated with a wide variety of experiences and challenges, they are also characterized by distinctive cognitive and behavioral patterns that can offer valuable perspectives in safety-critical contexts such as food safety. Improving understanding of neurodivergence can help reduce barriers in the workplace, support professional development, and enable organizations to better recognize and value diverse ways of thinking.

This webinar introduces neurodivergence in the context of food safety, supporting both employers and practitioners to create inclusive environments and helping neurodivergent IAFP members consider how their strengths can be applied across a range of food safety roles.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand what causes the two most common types of neurodivergence, autism and ADHD, and how they impact people with them, including those working in the safety-critical sector.
2.  Discover what interventions or support may help people with ADHD and/or autism achieve their full potential in the food industry.
3. Explore how a wide range of food safety roles can align with, and benefit from, the strengths of people with ADHD and/or autism.