At some point in your career, you’ve probably worked with someone who is on the autism spectrum, but you might not have known. There are many misconceptions about autism, which damage how we understand and therefore support these colleagues. Viewing autism through a new lens can help every manager unlock hidden potential and design environments where everyone thrives.

Today’s guest brings both personal experience and professional insight to help us all better appreciate the talents of neurodiverse team members.

Clain Udy is reshaping the way society views autism by shifting our perspectives from deficit-focused to one that sees autism through a strengths-based lens. As the father of a high-functioning autistic adult son, Clain has spent over two decades researching and investigating what it takes to help his son and other autistic individuals have successful, fulfilling careers.

Clain’s new book, Rebranding Autism: A Guide to Seeing Strength on the Spectrum, details his journey from initially thinking he had to “fix” his autistic son to wholeheartedly embracing his son’s beautifully unique strengths.

In this episode, we explore how autism shows up in the workplace, what managers often misunderstand about communication and performance, and practical ways to create environments where neurodiverse employees can do their best work.

In the extended conversation, Clain shares how managers can better understand social communication preferences, why “chasing normal” harms both managers and employees, and how reframing autism as a different but equally valid way of processing the world changes everything about inclusion.

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Conversation Topics

(00:00) Introduction – Understanding how neurodivergent brains enrich the workplace
(02:03) The hidden prevalence of autism in professional environments
(04:38) Dispelling misconceptions and shifting from deficit-based thinking
(07:16) Recognizing the strengths of autistic individuals
(12:34) Adapting environments for sensory and cognitive needs
(13:43) Communication strategies that support neurodivergent team members
(20:12) Strength-based management and inclusive leadership
(25:14) Real stories of inclusive managers in action
(29:18) [Extended Episode Only] Building authentic relationships with neurodivergent employees
(34:54) [Extended Episode Only] Designing communication to meet different social needs

📚 Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Clain Udy

- Check out his website: https://autismelevated.com/

- Follow Clain on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clainudy/

- Follow Clain on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Autism-Elevated/61559009841770/

- Follow Clain on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autismelevated/

Guest Bonus: 10 Book Giveaway: Rebranding Autism: A Guide to Seeing Strength on the Spectrum

This insightful book is both a memoir and a practical guide that aims to dismantle the current assumptions and mindset around autism and empower parents, educators, and employers to recognize and nurture the inherent abilities of autistic individuals.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

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381: How to Support Neurodiverse Employees and Unlock Hidden Talent with Clain Udy

The Modern Manager