‘ADA Generation’ Fuels Rise in Neurodiverse Employee Bias Claims

Disability discrimination claims from neurodiverse employees with conditions like autism are growing along with increased diagnoses, presenting employers with opportunities for inclusivity that come with potential pitfalls around violating workers’ rights.

There were 488 autism-related Americans with Disabilities Act charges filed to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in fiscal year 2023, compared to just 53 filed ten years earlier and only 14 in 2003, according to EEOC data.

The spike correlates with greater awareness, especially among Gen Z workers, of many neurodivergent conditions, like dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. As neurodivergent employees become more visible, employers are reckoning ...