Brainstorm - by Dave Thompson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Redesign the Future of Work with Neurodiversity in Mind

Brainstorm: A Guide to Neurodivergent Talent and the Future of Work is a bold, practical guide to rebuilding work from the ground up. It shows that inclusion is more than the right thing to do, it is essential to business success. With raw honesty, sharp storytelling, and real-world tools, Brainstorm challenges tired corporate narratives and equips leaders, managers, and teams to unlock overlooked talent. Drawing on the voices of people across industries and ways of thinking, including trailblazers, business leaders, and academics, it highlights how work must be built for every kind of mind.

Written by Dave Thompson, a pioneering self-advocate, educator, and innovator in the field of neurodiversity employment for over a decade, this book shows readers how to:

• Build environments that empower people across every cognitive profile
• Rethink "accommodations" as Success Enablers that fuel performance and growth
• Foster psychological safety, allyship, and trust in teams of every size
• Rethink hiring, management, and retention practices to expand your talent pipeline
• Tackle real workplace obstacles like communication breakdowns, burnout, and bias

For employers of all sizes and industries, Brainstorm delivers an urgent call to action: stop forcing people to fit a system that was not designed for them. Instead, rewire the system itself and watch innovation, productivity, and engagement surge, and see everyone win.

From the Back Cover

Praise for BRAINSTORM

"In the humble kingdom of my brain, Dave Thompson's Brainstorm reimagines the workplace through the lens of neuroinclusion, offering actionable insights to create environments where everyone belongs. A must-read for leaders, advocates, and anyone shaping the future of work."
--NATALIA (NAT) LYCKOWSKI, Global Neurodiversity Advancement Leader, IBM

"Brainstorm is powerful, inspiring, and refreshingly practical. Dave Thompson blends real-world stories and strategies to show that neurodiversity isn't just an inclusion goal--it's a competitive advantage."
--DANNY COMBS, Inaugural Director, Colorado Disability Opportunity Office

"With raw and resonant storytelling, Brainstorm sparks reflection, growth, and practical pathways toward neuro-inclusion. It invites us to embrace unique perspectives and the many ways we engage with the human experience."
--DANIELLE BIDDICK, Program Manager, Global Talent Acquisition, Dell Technologies

"Brainstorm makes the case that neuroinclusion isn't just a moral imperative--it's a competitive advantage. By reframing neurodiversity as a driver of innovation, this book offers a roadmap for leaders who want to unlock talent and stay ahead."
--JASON BENITEZ, Vice President, Inclusion, Capital Region Chamber, New York

"If a picture is worth 1,000 words, one of Dave's doodles is a masterclass in neuroinclusion."
--TARA CUNNINGHAM, CEO, Beyond-Impact; Co-Founder, Yes! Access

"After 35 years in education, I am amazed we are still exploring how to embrace every learner. Dave Thompson offers a fresh opportunity to understand neurodivergent people and how they contribute to the fabric of society. Required reading for educators and leaders alike."
--DR. KEVIN SCANLON, Superintendent of Schools, Three Village School District, New York

About the Author

DAVE THOMPSON is an educator, strategist, and TEDx speaker who helps organizations better understand, hire, support, and leverage the strengths of neurodivergent professionals. An early-identified ADHDer and dyslexic thinker, he grew up navigating systems not built for brains like his and now works to redesign them. Dave, a Visiting Scholar at Vanderbilt University's Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, speaks to audiences from Fortune 500 leaders to professionals and advocates, bringing lived experience, systems expertise, and big-picture thinking to complex change. Outside of work, he's a dad, a husband, and a former New Yorker living near Nashville.

This is just the beginning. Join us at www.BrainstormNeurodiversity.com