Supporting Neurodivergent Employees at Work with Brain in Hand
Based on new independent research, May 2026
About the research
This report presents a summary of findings from an independent six-month evaluation of 278 employed autistic and ADHD people (196 by 6-month follow-up), carried out by the Behavioural Insights Team, commissioned by NHS England via the SBRI Healthcare Programme, and with support from the Health Innovation Network.
Participants were drawn from a diverse range of organisations and sectors, with data collected at baseline, three months, and six months.
The study examined changes in wellbeing, mental health, day-to-day functioning, and workplace outcomes and what those changes mean for employers making the case for neurodivergent employee support.
Key findings
-
Half of participants reported meaningful wellbeing improvements, with over a third showing clinically significant change.
-
67% reported moderate to large reductions in stress.
-
51% reported meaningful improvements in work performance.
-
Of those with health-related absence at the start of the study, 71% meaningfully reduced it, with 60% cutting it out altogether.
-
Participants were 1.5 times more likely to feel confident at work and twice as likely to feel energised regularly.
-
45% of those at high risk of leaving their role were no longer high risk at six months.
-
Brain in Hand is estimated to generate £2,400–£3,100 per employee per year in cost savings on average, rising to £7,900–£9,800 for those with baseline health absence.
-
The employees costing organisations most (those with low productivity, high absence, and high leave intention) were most likely to benefit.
Note: The report contains analyses conducted by the Behavioural Insights Team, and some further analyses conducted by the Brain in Hand research team.