Should support be based only on a diagnosis?
No. Diagnosis can be helpful, but workplace support should focus on the person’s role, barriers and preferences.
WORKPLACE NEURODIVERSITY GUIDE
Acquired Brain Injury at Work
Acquired brain injury at work can affect memory, energy, processing speed, concentration, communication and confidence. Support is strongest when it gives the person time, structure and review rather than expecting them to return to old working patterns immediately.
Practical support may include clearer routines, written prompts, pacing, adjusted workload, quieter communication routes, a workplace needs assessment and coaching where confidence or transition back into work needs support.
Individual experience
People with the same diagnosis or description may need very different support.
Practical adjustments
Support may involve communication, tools, routines, environment, timing or manager expectations.
Review over time
Needs can change with work demands, health, stress, role changes or life events.
Direct answer
What acquired brain injury can affect at work
Acquired Brain Injury at Work is not one workplace experience. Support should start with the person’s role, barriers, strengths and preferences rather than assumptions about a label.
Practical adjustments can reduce avoidable friction in communication, workload, tools, environment, timing, recovery or manager expectations.
Under the Equality Act 2010, employers may need to make reasonable adjustments when a disabled worker is placed at a substantial disadvantage at work.
| Workplace barrier | Practical adjustment |
|---|---|
| Memory changes | Written reminders, checklists, meeting notes and predictable routines. |
| Fatigue | Pacing, breaks, adjusted hours and workload review. |
| Processing speed | Extra time, written information and reduced pressure for immediate responses. |
| Communication changes | Clear language, summaries and agreed communication routes. |
Adjustment routes
How to turn support into a workplace plan
A practical plan should name the barrier, agree the adjustment, identify who owns the next step and set a review date. This keeps support specific and reduces repeated conversations.
Use reasonable adjustments, Access to Work resources and AXS Passport after the core workplace barriers are clear. These routes can help move from informal discussion to a recorded support plan.
Practical checks
- Start with the task or situation that is creating the most friction.
- Agree one or two practical changes before adding more tools or meetings.
- Record what has been agreed so the person does not have to keep re-explaining.
- Review support when role demands, managers, workload or environment change.
CAM support
Where CAM support can help
Neurodiversity coaching can support strategies, communication, confidence and sustainable routines. A workplace needs assessment can identify practical adjustments linked to the role.
Assistive technology training can help where tools are part of the support plan. Access to Work resources can help explain wider work-related support routes.
Workplace support
Need help turning acquired brain injury support into practical adjustments?
Calling All Minds can help connect workplace barriers to clear adjustments, coaching, assessments, assistive technology and sustainable support systems.
Useful connected guidance
These pages give more context and connect this guide to practical support.
Workplace supportExplore CAM workplace services for neurodiversity and disability inclusion.Open guidanceNeurodiversity CoachingPractical coaching for confidence, communication, focus and routines.Open guidanceAccess to Work resourcesUnderstand practical support routes and funding guidance.Open guidanceAssistive Technology TrainingUse tools for planning, reading, writing, reminders and workflow support.Open guidanceWorkplace Needs AssessmentsIdentify adjustments and support linked to real job demands.Open guidanceAXS PassportRecord and review workplace adjustments in a structured, shareable way.Open guidance
Related insight articles
Further reading from Calling All Minds on this topic.
Questions people often ask
Short answers, written in plain language.
Can adjustments be simple?
Yes. Many helpful adjustments are small changes to communication, planning, technology, environment or timing.
Can CAM help employers understand the right support?
Yes. CAM can help through workplace needs assessments, coaching, assistive technology training, environmental audits and AXS Passport.
External references
Last checked: May 2026.