The comfort zone is SAFE. It is FAMILIAR. It can be the much needed respite from places, people, or processes that aren’t neurodivergent-friendly.
Comfort zones can have certain textures, smells, lighting, sounds, or other sensory items designed to make someone feel safe and welcome.
Having a comfort zone doesn’t mean you have to stay there, but it’s a nice place to land after trying something new.
How can you support this?
When planning team meetings or events, there are plenty of ways you can create comfort zones or safe spaces for neurodivergent individuals. Check out our infographic on neuro-inclusive meetings or find a few suggestions below.
- Create a quiet area for people to go and prevent sensory overload.
- Consider accessibility. Does the event have closed captions on screen? Will there be strobe lights or other intense special effects?
- Lead with curiosity and support. If someone doesn’t seem engaged, check on them human-to-human and don’t jump to punitive actions if they miss a session or seem quiet.
- Consider the menu and provide “safe foods” for people. Not sure what that might be? Just ask! A survey in advance of the event on dietary considerations is always welcome.
What defines your comfort zone?
Check out another post on ADHD-friendly meetings for some tips individuals can consider when planning for a conference, off-site, or other marathon meeting day.
Are you on the hook to plan a team meeting, or a large company-wide event? Mullins Professional Group loves helping you think through details to make it a great experience for all. Reach out when planning neuro-inclusive meetings, and we can help you build something great!
