The Value of Understanding Your Regulation Needs and Preferences for Success at Work For All Staff

Written by Claire Britton on 27/06/2025

Understanding your own regulation needs and preferences is a vital component of sustaining productivity, wellbeing, and long-term success at work—particularly for neurodivergent individuals. As a neurodivergent business owner and director of a neurodiverse team, this is something we live and breathe every day. Regulation refers to the ability to manage sensory input, emotions, energy levels, attention, and stress in a way that supports functioning. In an Australian work culture that often prioritises uniformity and performance over wellbeing, recognising and advocating for personal regulation strategies is not just beneficial—it’s essential.

Self-Regulation as a Foundation for Productivity

Self-regulation is not about suppressing natural responses or "toughing it out." It involves proactively identifying what supports or disrupts your ability to engage meaningfully with tasks. This might include:

• Adjusting sensory input (e.g., noise-cancelling headphones or soft lighting),

• Structuring breaks to manage energy and attention,

• Using movement to reset focus,

• Accessing quiet spaces or flexible hours to reduce overwhelm.

Research from the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (Summers et al., 2022) highlights that understanding individual regulation needs improves task persistence and reduces workplace stress, especially for Autistic and ADHD workers.

Neurodivergence and Regulation Diversity

Regulation needs vary across neurotypes. For example:

• Autistic workers may require reduced sensory stimuli to stay focused and avoid shutdowns or meltdowns.

• People with ADHD may benefit from stimulation (e.g., music, movement, novelty) to activate their attention systems.

• Those with sensory processing differences might need to adjust their environment to avoid sensory overload.

The Australian Human Rights Commission (2022) notes that neurodivergent employees are more likely to experience exclusion due to “invisible” regulation needs being misunderstood or dismissed by employers. Understanding and honouring regulation preferences reduces the need to "mask" or conform to environments that are inherently dysregulating. This leads to greater authenticity, creativity, and engagement—a win for both the employee and the organisation.

Workplace Benefits of Regulation Awareness

When individuals and workplaces understand regulation needs:

• Employees are less likely to burn out or take extended leave.

• Engagement and satisfaction improve, contributing to higher retention.

• Teams learn to appreciate diverse work styles and co-regulate effectively.

Australia’s Employ My Ability strategy (Department of Social Services, 2021–2031) emphasises the need for inclusive work environments that allow people with disability to thrive. Central to this is flexibility and individualised support—which starts with understanding and respecting regulation.

Occupational Therapy and Self-Awareness

Occupational therapists often support individuals to identify their unique regulation patterns using tools like sensory profiles, activity diaries, or co-regulation strategies. They also help design workspaces or routines that align with neurodivergent strengths and challenges.

An Australian study by Ashburner et al. (2020) in Disability and Society found that when Autistic adults had workplace accommodations aligned with their sensory and regulation needs, they experienced improved job performance, self-esteem, and workplace belonging.

Conclusion

In an increasingly diverse and dynamic workforce, understanding your regulation needs and preferences is not a personal indulgence—it is a professional strength. It supports self-advocacy, improves wellbeing, and enhances performance. Australian workplaces that embrace this understanding are not only more inclusive, but also more innovative, compassionate, and productive.

Learn From Us At Our Trainings & Workshops

At Neuroinclusion, we offer customised professional development training for organisations and businesses across Australia, led by neurodivergent occupational therapists who bring both lived and professional experience. Our team has extensive expertise delivering impactful workshops and training sessions—both in-person and online—that are practical, engaging, and tailored to your unique workplace needs. Whether you're aiming to build a more inclusive team culture, better support neurodivergent staff and clients, or meet your diversity and inclusion goals, our evidence-informed approach will help you get there. To learn more or to book a session, visit our website here: https://www.neuroinclusion.com.au/ondemandtraining or email us at admin@neuroinclusion.com.au.

References

• Summers, M. et al. (2022). Promoting occupational performance and wellbeing for Autistic adults in employment. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.

• Ashburner, J., Bobir, N., & van Dooren, K. (2020). “It’s up to me”: Workplace experiences of Autistic adults in Australia. Disability and Society, 35(9).

• Australian Human Rights Commission (2022). Inclusion at Work Index.

• Department of Social Services (2021). Employ My Ability: Australia’s Disability Employment Strategy 2021–2031.