Why neurodiversity matters for business and ESG — Dalilawati Zainal and Ummi Aida Ahmad Khairudi

JULY 1 — As Malaysian businesses rush to embrace artificial intelligence and sustainability, there is often one talent pool that is overlooked. Amid intense competition for skilled workers and innovators, many companies continue to overlook neurodivergent talent. 

Neurodiversity encompasses natural differences in thinking, learning and information processing, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other cognitive differences. 

Many neurodivergent individuals possess strengths highly valued by employers, such as analytical thinking, attention to detail, creativity and problem-solving. 

Yet despite growing demand for specialised skills, neurodivergent Malaysians remain significantly underrepresented in the workforce.

It is not just a social problem. It is a business opportunity staring us right in the nose. 

Malaysia’s economy is increasingly dependent on innovation, technology and knowledge-based industries. Companies are investing heavily in automation, data analytics and digital solutions, but they are also struggling to find the right talent for technical and analytical roles.

Businesses can no longer afford the luxury of ignoring talented people because they communicate or work differently in this environment. 

The problem often starts in the hiring process. Many hiring processes still place a lot of emphasis on presentation and style of interaction, rather than on actual competence. 

Interviewers often look at candidates’ confidence, how well they make eye contact or how they answer behavioural interview questions. While these skills are important for some roles, they are not always reliable indicators of job performance, especially for technical roles. 

A talented software developer, data analyst or finance professional might find traditional interviews challenging, despite having exceptional expertise. This means that organisations might unwittingly exclude suitable candidates before they even have a chance to prove themselves. 

It raises an important question: are companies hiring the best person for the job, or the best interviewer? 

Many organisations around the world are re-thinking how they identify talent. 

Assessments that are skills-based, practical work simulations, portfolio reviews and trial assignments are increasingly common. These approaches focus on what a candidate can do, not how well they interview for a few minutes. 

Malaysian employers could take a leaf out of this book, especially for technical and analytical roles where output is more important than presentation. 

The work place itself can be another hindrance. Open-plan offices, hot-desking and highly collaborative workspaces have been in vogue for the last ten years. They are intended to encourage team work and creativity, but they do not work equally well for everyone. 

The constant noise and unpredictability of the environment can be mentally exhausting for people with sensory sensitivities or attention regulation differences. It is not that they cannot get things done, it is that they are spending valuable energy dealing with the distractions. 

Many employees, no matter how their brains are wired, perform better when they have access to quiet spaces, flexible arrangements and uninterrupted time to concentrate on their work. In general, the more inclusive the workplace becomes, the better it is for everyone.

This discussion is especially pertinent, as ESG considerations are becoming increasingly important to investors, regulators and other stakeholders. 

Companies have made strides on environmental sustainability and corporate governance, but the social aspect of ESG often gets less focus. But the “S” in ESG is built on the people. It covers diversity, inclusion, employee well-being and the ability of organisations to create places where people can contribute meaningfully. 

Investors are looking beyond diversity statistics. They look at how organisations manage human capital and foster inclusive cultures.

Seen in this light, neurodiversity is central to a company’s social sustainability agenda. Real inclusion is not just diversity statements. This means creating environments where people of different backgrounds, abilities and ways of thinking can flourish. 

Diverse teams are consistently found to be better equipped to tackle complex problems, challenge assumptions and drive innovation. 

In an economy that is increasingly shaped by rapid technological change, organisations that encourage diverse thinking are better placed to adapt and compete.

Malaysia cannot afford to lose out on this advantage. The country is working on improving its innovation capacity and become a high-income economy. To achieve these ambitions, we need to harness the full range of available talent. 

When able neurodivergent people are unemployed or underemployed, families face added financial pressure, businesses miss out on valuable skills and the wider economy misses out on productivity growth.

There is progress, which is heartening. In May 2026, PERKESO and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) announced the publication of Malaysia’s first Employment Support Guidelines for the Neurodivergent Group. 

The initiative offers practical advice on recruitment, workplace adjustments, job coaching and employee support, as a vital first step in helping employers better understand and engage neurodiverse talent.

But meaningful change will require sustained commitment from both employers and policymakers. Companies should review recruitment processes and identify unnecessary barriers that may exclude capable candidates. 

Managers need to be prepared to lead diverse teams and lay out expectations in plain language. The good news is that inclusion does not always require a hefty investment. 

Flexible schedules, written instructions, quiet workspaces, remote-work options and clear performance expectations can make a big difference at relatively little cost. Such efforts can be complemented by policymakers through awareness programmes, incentives and recognition schemes that promote inclusive employment practices.

At its heart, the conversation around neurodiversity is not just about corporate responsibility. It is about ESG credibility and economic competitiveness. 

In the future, Malaysia will need to be able to attract, develop and retain talent of all kinds to grow. The most successful organisations will be those who recognise difference as potential. 

By embracing neurodiversity, Malaysian businesses can tap into new sources of innovation, build a more resilient workforce and demonstrate that their commitment to ESG goes beyond reporting metrics to meaningful action. 

Building not only more inclusive organisations, but a more dynamic, productive and sustainable economy.

* Dalilawati Zainal is a senior lecturer at the Department of Accounting, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, and may be reached at dalilawati@um.edu.my. Ummi Aida Ahmad Khairudi is a Bachelor of Accounting student at the Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, and may be reached at 22100577@siswa.um.edu.my

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.