Topic

Focus and attention

Ways to shape tasks and environments so attention has fewer obstacles and clearer stopping points.

Work with attention

Attention can vary with interest, fatigue, stress, sensory load and task clarity. Reduce one competing demand first: silence notifications, clear the immediate workspace or move to a less distracting setting.

The ACAS neurodiversity adjustments guide includes quiet workspaces, uninterrupted focus time, written instructions and assistive software.

  • Choose one visible next action.
  • Keep only the material needed for the current step open.
  • Write distracting thoughts down instead of following them.

Sources & further reading

Explore the original sources.

Official guidanceAcas

Adjustments for neurodiversity

Practical workplace guidance with specific examples of reasonable adjustments for neurodivergent workers, covering concentration, communication, organisation, sensory overload, time management and changes at work.

Evidence note

Authoritative Acas guidance specifically focused on neurodivergent workers. It gives practical examples such as quiet working areas, headphones, screen filters, written instructions broken into steps, visual planners, regular check-ins, additional reminders, extra planning time and advance warning of workplace changes. Acas stresses that adjustments should be based on the individual rather than diagnosis alone, and that workers do not necessarily need a formal diagnosis before support is considered.

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