Law firms offer neurological assessments for lawyers

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City law firms are offering to test employees for a range of neurological conditions, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia. This is due to concerns about many being left without support following drug shortages and long NHS waiting times.

Norton Rose Fulbright has hired a specialist psychological consultancy to carry out assessments. Other firms, such as Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, are also undertaking a range of measures to support neurodiverse people. The Law Society states that lawyers with all forms of disability need support to prevent conditions “becoming chronic”. Katharine Wadia, associate at Norton Rose Fulbright, explains that the firm has made several accommodations to help her navigate the workplace with ADHD. For example, she’s been supported with coaching, specifically designed computer systems and noise cancelling headphones.

This kind of support from firms is important as current backlogs mean NHS patients can wait up to 300 days for an official autism diagnosis and up to seven years for an ADHD diagnosis. In addition, a medication shortage means that 150,000 people in the UK are experiencing issues accessing ADHD medication. These issues are exacerbated as over the past five years 80% more people in the UK are seeking ADHD medication. Experts attribute this growth to improved visibility and awareness. Charity ADHD Foundation has hypothesised that the growth also reflects the impact of the pandemic and the lack of structure during lockdown, which may have made many people’s anxiety and ADHD symptoms worse.

Wadia explains the importance of diagnosis, adjustments and more education about neurological conditions: “Growing up I was aware that neuro-atypical people could be perceived as argumentative, attention seeking and undisciplined so perhaps subconsciously this made me avoid getting a diagnosis earlier – although this would have made life a lot easier.”

Danielle Kelly, director of culture and inclusion at Herbert Smith Freehills, highlighted that “no two people are the same – and they shouldn’t be expected to be or think the same way”.

Read this blog to find out more about supporting colleagues with ADHD during the national medication shortage.