In 2023 the National Federation of Builders (NFB), working with CITB and the People's Partnership, surveyed around 1,000 UK construction workers. One finding stood out: 1 in 4 consider themselves to have a neurodiverse condition. That's well above most estimates for the wider population.
For a small building firm, that isn't an HR statistic. It's you, your labourer, your favourite subbie. This post looks at what the research found and what small firms can actually do with it.
What the research found
Key findings from the NFB report and coverage of it:
- 25% of construction workers consider themselves neurodiverse.
- ADHD was the most common condition, reported by 54% of neurodiverse respondents. Autism and dyslexia followed.
- About a third said their condition made them want to work in construction. Only 5% said it put them off.
- 36% of neurodiverse workers had not told anyone at work about their condition.
- 75% of all workers said they weren't asked about neurodiversity when they were hired or onboarded.
- Of those who did tell their employer, 80% said reasonable adjustments were made.
Separate research cited by industry bodies points in the same direction: surveys of tradespeople by On The Tools and of project managers by the Association for Project Management also found high rates of people identifying as neurodivergent.
Why construction attracts neurodiverse people
The research suggests many people choose construction because of how their brain works, not in spite of it. The work is practical, visual and varied. You solve real problems with your hands, you see the result at the end of the day, and you're rarely stuck at a desk.
Traits often linked with ADHD, dyslexia and autism (strong spatial thinking, big-picture problem solving, energy in a crisis, attention to detail on things that matter to you) are exactly what good tradespeople bring to site.
Where it gets hard: the office side
The difficulty usually isn't the work. It's everything around the work:
- Written paperwork: quotes, contracts, method statements, emails.
- Admin routines: invoicing on time, chasing payments, filing receipts.
- Planning and scheduling: keeping track of many jobs, suppliers and people at once.
- Compliance: dense risk assessments, CIS returns, Making Tax Digital.
For a sole trader or micro builder, you are the office. If those tasks are hard for you, they don't get done, and cash flow suffers. It's one reason many capable tradespeople struggle to grow their business or burn out trying.
Practical changes for small firms
You don't need an HR department to support neurodiverse people, including yourself. Small, cheap changes make a real difference.
For your team and subcontractors
- Ask, don't assume. When someone joins, ask how they prefer to receive instructions: a call, a text, a voice note, a drawing.
- Give instructions in more than one format. Say it, and send a short written or photo version. Mark up a photo instead of writing a paragraph.
- Break big tasks into steps. A clear order of work helps everyone, and helps some people a lot.
- Keep paperwork short. Method statements and site inductions can be clear and concise without losing anything important.
- Make it OK to say. With over a third of neurodiverse workers keeping it to themselves, a relaxed attitude on your site matters.
For yourself
- Use tools that reduce reading and typing. Speech to text, templates and saved reminders do more than willpower. See our speech to text guide.
- Do admin in short bursts. Fifteen minutes four times a week beats a dreaded monthly session. Try our weekly ADHD admin system.
- Keep everything in one place. Fewer apps means fewer chances to lose things or get distracted.
- Get help with the bits that drain you. A bookkeeper for an hour a month can be the best money you spend.
Neurodiversity and mental health
Industry research has linked neurodivergence with higher rates of stress and mental ill health among tradespeople. Admin overload, money worries and the feeling of always being behind feed straight into that. Reducing the admin burden isn't just about efficiency; it's about looking after yourself and your team.
If you or someone on your team is struggling, the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity runs a free, confidential 24/7 helpline, and Mates in Mind has resources for employers.
Why we built Tradeways this way
Tradeways started because its founders saw capable tradespeople, including people close to them, lose time and money to software that assumed everyone reads quickly, types easily and loves dashboards. So accessibility isn't an add-on. The plans include speech to text, screen tints, a dyslexia-friendly font, adjustable text size, high contrast and a simplified mode, alongside quotes, invoicing, scheduling and finance.