If you’re neurodivergent and finding it difficult to navigate traditional career paths, self-employment and entrepreneurship can be meaningful but often overlooked, alternatives.
For some neurodivergent Canadians, self-employment and entrepreneurship can offer a more inclusive and empowering path compared to traditional employment. Entrepreneurial initiatives can provide opportunities to:
- Create purpose and impact
- Leverage your strengths
- Exercise autonomy and flexibility
Finding the right support
We spoke with 75 neurodivergent entrepreneurs and self-employed Canadians who told us what supports were important or that they wished they had when they began their self-employment journey.
They highlighted the following supports:
- personalized digital tools and systems.
- neuroinclusive programs and training opportunities;
- peer mentorship and peer networks;
- neuroaffirming business coaching;
- accessible financing, such as grants and microloans;
- executive function coaching;
Getting started
Evidence-based insights and tips can help neurodivergent Canadians explore, plan, and navigate their journey into self-employment or entrepreneurship.
A wide range of programs and supports exist to help neurodivergent individuals start and grow their own business. To make these easier to access, we’ve created an interactive map that will help you find resources from across Canada and internationally.
We have also created a guide, Navigating Self-Employment: A Guide for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs. The guide draws on the insights of neurodivergent self-employed Canadians and stakeholders across supported employment, career education and coaching, employment policy, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
You can also access our research Creating Their Own Path: Unlocking Self-Employment for Neurodivergent Canadians.
How you can help us
Are we missing information about a publicly funded program, support, or resource for neurodivergent Canadians seeking or engaged in self-employment or entrepreneurism?
FSC partners
The responsibility for the findings and conclusions of this research rests entirely with Signal49 Research.