Why the Genius Finder® Is Redefining Neurodiversity Assessments at Work 

By Clare Mottram, Principal Psychologist & Researcher at Genius Within 

Neurodiversity at work is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves. But for many employees and employers, existing assessments and support tools can feel outdated, deficit-focused, or inaccessible. That’s why Genius Within created the Genius Finder® — a digital-first platform designed to empower individuals, remove stigma, and make neuro-inclusive workplaces the norm. 

In this blog, Clare Mottram, Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Principal Researcher at Genius Within, shares why the Genius Finder® stands out from other profilers and assessments on the market. 

Clare brings over 18 years of experience in people science consultancy, specialising in psychometric and occupational assessments. She has led pioneering neurodiversity research at SHL and Lexxic, and today she works with Dr. Nancy Doyle to refine and enhance the Genius Finder®. In her Research role, she helped Genius Within achieve the BPS accreditation of the Genius Finder®. Clare is also an active thought leader, regularly publishing insights through conferences, journals, and white papers. 

The Genius Finder® is a workplace-focused digital platform available on desktop and mobile. It helps employees unlock their strengths, while supporting employers to deliver on their commitment to neuro-inclusion. 

Since joining Genius Within I’ve been struck by a number of things that make it unique from other neurodiversity profilers and assessments I’ve come across: 

As we’re sadly all too familiar with, too often, neurodivergent employees face barriers when trying to access meaningful support: 

The Genius Finder® really does flip the script. It provides a non-stigmatising, strengths-based, and practical tool that doesn’t rely on disclosure or medical labelling. Instead, it offers mutual understanding and opens up conversations about performance and self-development.  

Its intentionally affordable price point is designed to minimise accessibility barriers, so everyone is able to benefit from it. Research by Occupational Health practitioners has also shown that the Genius Finder® meets the needs of the approximately half the individuals who are referred to Occupational Health, reducing reliance on higher-cost support options which are typically only needed for individuals with more complex needs. 

In short: anyone. 

Although it was originally designed with neurodivergent employees in mind, the Genius Finder® is just as effective for neurotypical staff. Everyone experiences cognitive changes at some point in their career whether due to mental health, life stages like parenthood or menopause, or temporary circumstances like illness or stress. 

By focusing on skills and strategies rather than labels, the Genius Finder® supports people across the whole workforce. 

The Genius Finder® goes beyond traditional assessments. I’m delighted to share a snippet from our (rather robust!) psychometric technical manual detailing the key differentiators that set it apart: 

Designed with neurodivergent people in mind

Built on insights from over 20,000 individuals since 2011, the Genius Finder® uses years of anonymised client data to identify the behaviours and skills linked to workplace effectiveness, while expanding traditional psychometric assessments by focusing on self-efficacy (confidence in applying skills) rather than cognitive ability alone.

Considers both the individual and their environment

It moves away from the “medical model” that frames neurodivergence as a deficit and aligns with the social model of disability, recognising that workplaces designed primarily for neurotypical employees can inadvertently disable others, so the focus is on creating a better fit between people and their environment rather than trying to “fix” the person.

A strengths-based approach

It encourages employees to leverage their talents to achieve their full potential, contrasting with diagnostic assessments that typically emphasise weaknesses or deficits, and instead shifts the narrative towards empowerment and growth.

Universal application across workforces

Because it isn’t tied to medical diagnoses, it can be scaled across entire organisations, benefiting employees who don’t identify as neurodivergent but may still experience challenges, and providing organisation-wide insights to embed inclusion into everyday performance and development.

Focus on self efficacy, not skill level

It recognises that underlying cognitive skills are complex and not always easily changed, so instead it helps individuals develop strategies to work effectively with the abilities they already have. For example, even if literacy levels or working memory capacity don’t shift dramatically, approaches like mnemonics, visualisation, or ergonomic adjustments can make a significant difference.

Research-driven and evidence-based

It has been developed through rigorous testing and continuous user feedback, supported by partnerships with institutions such as The Centre for Neurodiversity at Work (Birkbeck University) and backed by investment from the Growth Impact Fund, enabling ongoing research to validate and enhance the platform.

Social impact at its core

As a Community Interest Company (CIC), Genius Within reinvests profits from the Genius Finder® into grassroots initiatives – funding donations, pro bono activity, and community support – so that growth in the platform directly benefits the wider neurodivergent community.

In summary, the Genius Finder® isn’t just another assessment — it’s a catalyst for change. By shifting the conversation from deficits to strengths, from labels to strategies, it empowers individuals and equips employers to build genuinely inclusive workplaces. I for one, am really proud of what we have created and why, and how rigorous it is (BPS accreditation does not come easily!). I love our continued focus on enhancing it to best meet the needs of both our organisational and individual users. We’re continually innovating and making the most of emerging technology, so watch this space – we can’t wait to share more with you! 

Want to learn more? 
Get in touch with the Genius Within team to explore how the Genius Finder® can support your people and transform your workplace.