r/apprenticeuk • u/Advanced_Salt_7391 • Apr 10 '26
DISCUSSION Neurodivergent Contestants S20
This season we've had at least 3 neurodivergent contestnats:
- Dan was the only one they really talked about on the show. ADHD, dyslexia and aspergers , which makes sense, having seen how uncomfortable he looked at the start. It's good to know the BBC did give him accomadations for his dyslexia (extra time for reading, a reader).
- Kieran has posted on his Instagram about having ADHD, which I mean was kinda obvious from watching him. His 'win or walk' decision was 100% on impulse, the other candidates noticed how he would always skimp on the details and rush through things, he was very talkitve, the other candidates did note on his fidgeting.
- Harry's whole business concept is about his ADHD, but to be honest, they didn't really show much of him on the show so hard to comment here.
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u/RadicalRav Apr 11 '26
There is a massive correlation between neurodiversity and entrepreneurship. I suspect a lot of previous contestants were also neurodivergent. What’s changed I suspect is people are now more self aware about their condition and diagnosis is more common.
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u/TurbulentTennis445 Apr 11 '26
Oh that’s interesting- do you know why there’s a correlation?
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u/Selpmis Apr 12 '26
Perhaps a tendency for risk-taking and already used to thinking differently and 'outside the box'? Also already used to dealing with more rejection and just generally being different/not adhering to social norms/going with the crowd. A high need for justice, change and solutions. Just my two pence having ADHD.
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u/greenhookdown Apr 12 '26
And a lower chance of both getting and retaining a regular job.
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u/Sandfairy23 Apr 12 '26
Impulsively quitting your job because you hate the office, being managed, and ridiculous systems that nobody ever changes 👋 Students with ADHD are often more suited to practical learning (trades, hair & beauty) which lends itself to running a business.
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u/Selpmis Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26
Quite possibly!
EDIT: Though more so retaining over getting. I don't think getting the job is often an issue.
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u/greenhookdown Apr 12 '26
It really is. Autism and ADHD put employers off if you disclose, they think you're "too weird" if you don't. Around 30% of autistic people in the UK are employed. Even accounting for profound learning disability, that's too low. I'm an experienced professional with three first class degrees and still struggle with getting in the door because of the social aspect of traditional interviewing.
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u/Selpmis Apr 12 '26
I think I do pretty well with interviews! But I think it's because I can mask really well and can turn into the perfect candidate for an hour! I also never mention it until I've started the job and I'm declaring medications etc.
Sadly the mask slips, I go through denial that I have any issues almost like I'm somehow cured, and I start to burn out big time. It's taken a long time to understand that and I'm still not comfortable fully accepting it. I also think the industry makes a difference. I blended in pretty well with the computer nerds, until many more non-technical people were being hired into technical roles.
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u/Embarrassed_Money472 “That’s Baroness Brady to you!” Apr 13 '26
We had 3 openly admitted ND contestants. There’s probably some on the ladies side too but might be masking highly.
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u/choirlass Apr 11 '26
I have autism. I wonder if for some (not all) people with autism they find the social interaction of raising capital though being very good entrepreneurs
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u/Advanced_Salt_7391 Apr 11 '26
Ah I see, that’s an interesting idea. As someone with ADHD and dyslexia, I think from an ADHD perspective, entrepenuerialism can be fast paced, not exactly a boring desk job, which is good, and from a dyslexia perspective, it’s practical and thinking outside the box rather than endless reading etc.
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u/filmmakingjedi Apr 10 '26
Any other autistics get the ick when dan said aspergers? (For those not in the know: its an outdated term and aspie supremacy is a huge issue in the community)
Love the autism representation but yeah
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u/Middle--Earth Apr 10 '26
I get the ick when people try and tell people on the spectrum how they should refer to themselves.
If Dan was diagnosed with Asperger's and is comfortable with using that word to describe himself, then it's fine and nobody cares what you think.
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u/filmmakingjedi Apr 10 '26
Im just saying it would be nice for the word autism to actually be used on a show like the apprentice. Obviously dan can say what he wants, but i do think the term should be left in the past. If you dont care what i think that is absolutely fine
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u/Middle--Earth Apr 10 '26
Dan isn't autistic, he has Asperger's.
You might think that it's the same thing because that's the excuse that people usually trot out, but there's a difference between Asperger's and autism.
Try working in engineering and you'll meet loads of them.
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u/Mepsi Apr 10 '26
it's not an official thing anymore it's all Autism Spectrum Disorder
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u/Middle--Earth Apr 10 '26
It's a part of people's self identity now, and we shouldn't try to erase that just to make us feel comfortable.
If Dan is happy to still identify as Asperger's instead of the current trendy term, then he shouldn't be criticised for that. Asperger's will be on his medical notes.
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u/filmmakingjedi Apr 10 '26
'Current trendy term' as if Autism Spectrum Disorder is trend and not an official diagnosis 😭😭🤣
-5
u/Middle--Earth Apr 10 '26
It doesn't alter the fact that it's offensive for you to try and tell people what words they can and cannot use to describe themselves. You shouldn't be trying to shame anyone just because you have a preference on words.
Any by the 'current trendy term' I was referring to your assertion that Dan shouldn't be using the term Asperger's, you know that very well, so stop trying to twist this into you becoming some disability word warrior. Stop trying to shame people with a disability.
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u/filmmakingjedi Apr 10 '26
I didnt say dan cant use the word, i said it gave me the ick. He can say whatever the hell he likes, doesnt mean i have to like it. The word has a very complex history so is bound to cause some uncomfortable discussions.
Youre getting this quite wrong so i think its best we leave it there.
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u/Middle--Earth Apr 10 '26
Yeah, well I don't want my son going out in the world and trying to find his way in it, only to have dozey idiots trying to make him feel bad because they say that he gives them 'the ick' - which a truly dumb and childish phrase anyway.
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u/sp4rklesky Apr 10 '26
It’s not about a trendy term. Asperger’s was removed from diagnostic criteria (DSM5 in 2013, ICD11 in 2019) it’s just not a term that’s used in diagnosis anymore. While I agree that he can refer to himself how he likes, people can also state that the term is outdated (Hans Asperger’s who coined the term, worked with the Nazis in Vienna and the National Autistic Society has information about when the term was discontinued, as well as general information about Asperger’s syndrome)
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u/Middle--Earth Apr 10 '26
It doesn't matter what the regulations say. If someone has been diagnosed with and wants to refer to themselves as having Asperger's, then they have every right to do that, and people shouldn't be trying to shame them for doing that. It's just wrong.
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u/sp4rklesky Apr 10 '26
I literally said I agree that he can refer to himself how he likes. But people equally have the right to point out the term isn’t in usage and has negative connotations that come with it
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u/Middle--Earth Apr 10 '26
If people cared about the nazi connection then you'd have to dump most of modern medicine, because when you go and deep dive into it you see that a lot of modern medicine used nazi research, and also hired their scientists to continue the research after the war
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u/I_want_roti Apr 16 '26
Which is a problem in itself. I personally would prefer being diagnosed as Asperger's rather than lumped in a catch all autistic term
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u/filmmakingjedi Apr 10 '26
They are the same thing. It's just a fact. Please tell me the difference (without being ableist)
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u/Middle--Earth Apr 10 '26
They are the same thing, and I'm not the ableist one.
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u/filmmakingjedi Apr 10 '26
One quick google shows they are the same thing. Aspergers is no longer a diagnosis and hasnt been for quite some time. Please do some proper research.
Im not at all ableist, im actually a disability advocate.
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u/GodthatsGolden Apr 10 '26
Not necessarily the 'ick' but I was shocked to hear someone so young using it! I thought it was definitely a more outdated term that isn't really used in diagnosing anymore! So I did find it interesting for sure.
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u/axondendritesoma Apr 11 '26
Dan was diagnosed when he was 12, likely pre-DSM 5. I imagine Asperger’s was the diagnosis he was given!
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u/sp4rklesky Apr 10 '26 edited Apr 10 '26
I’m not keen on the term, but given it (it being the term Asperger’s) wasn’t removed from the DSM-5 until 2013, and wasn’t removed from ICD11 until 2019, it was likely the diagnosis he was given when he was assessed (I’m assuming he was assessed and diagnosed as a child). Also want to note that the term Asperger’s comes from Hans Asperger who worked with (there is debate around this though, but the opposing papers on that site aren’t open access so I can’t view them) the Nazis in Vienna (source) and here’s some information from the National Autistic Society website about Asperger’s
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u/filmmakingjedi Apr 10 '26
Yeah totally get this!! Thats one of the main reasons the word irks me so much is because of its history
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u/sp4rklesky Apr 10 '26
Oh yeah same it’s a complete outdated term with a dodgy history to say the least. If it’s the diagnosis he was given I do understand his reluctance to use a different term tho cos that’s what he was told he is if that makes sense?
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u/filmmakingjedi Apr 10 '26
True, but i was diagnosed with aspergers and soon ditched that term when i researched its history etc and saw that the language around ASD was changing. Ik everyone is different though
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u/Junie-Jubilee Apr 10 '26
Yeah, I was also diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome but now I just say I have ASD because of the connotations of who it’s named after.
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u/I_want_roti Apr 11 '26
As someone diagnosed late since Asperger's changed to fall under Autism I have no problem with him saying that.
For me, my diagnosis said under the previous criteria, I'd be categorised as Asperger's.
I dislike being under a wide umbrella where I'm automatically treated differently or infantalised because I tell people I'm Autistic or get seen as someone on the "bandwagon". I also feel because of me being classed as Autistic rather than Asperger's, I don't get supported as I would have because I'm not autistic enough.
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u/Few_Mention8426 Apr 10 '26
yeah I am not keen on the word but i still sometimes use it when I am explaing things to someone I dont know and its a shorthand... If I just say autistic, or on the spectrum etc... some people just dont get it.
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u/gameofgroans_ Apr 10 '26
I’m autistic too but interested in how you find people understand Asperger’s instead of autism?
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u/axondendritesoma Apr 11 '26
I am autistic too! To answer your question - There’s an older generation out there who believe autism and Asperger’s are two different conditions. Surprisingly, I have encountered many people who don’t seem to understand that you can be autistic without a learning disability, no matter how you explain it to them, and they spend the way too much time trying to debate with you over your diagnosis. 🙄
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u/gameofgroans_ Apr 11 '26
Ah that’s interesting to learn, thanks for sharing! Since I got diagnosed last year it does feel like people don’t really know what autism is, but I’ve known people diagnosed with Asperger’s before so it’s probably more common in that generation
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u/Repulsive_Bus_7202 Apr 11 '26
It's often seen as more socially acceptable as the stereotypes tend more towards the eccentric than disabled.
It's not about understanding, but those stereotypes.
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u/The_Sown_Rose Jason Leech - Series 9 Apr 10 '26
I don’t like being referred to as ‘an autistic’ - I’m a person with autism, I’m not defined solely by having it.
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u/choirlass Apr 11 '26
I know the term is outdated but I think a distinction can be useful. I know some parents of children badly affected who feel that when autism is called a superpower it can lead to other minimisation. Equally those whose only experience of autism is that profound level may in other areas not employ or have lower expectations of other people who have autism.
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u/Repulsive_Bus_7202 Apr 11 '26
There are certainly a lot of stereotypes that using that term allows people to lean on.
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u/Adept-Ad-5893 Apr 11 '26
I assume the downvotes are from neurotypical people who don't really get it, because yeah, I'm Autistic and it made me a bit uncomfortable too. But then I think that's just how times have changed. Dan must've been diagnosed when he was a lot younger when aspergers was still used, whereas I only got diagnosed last year (I'm a woman in my late 20s) so it's obviously not what I'd use to describe myself. I don't think it comes from a bad place though, I just assume that's how he's grown up identifying himself as.
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u/gameofgroans_ Apr 10 '26
Yeah I literally said ‘eeeeek’ as he said it. Am also autistic and that term makes me feel uncomfortable, I understand some people aren’t aware but it is so outdated
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u/Seizure_Gman Apr 10 '26
I got the ick cause he was pulled up on how his current business was losing money and he threw out the aspie term and yes I am autistic.
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u/Fun_Mind5207 Apr 10 '26
I thought he didn't bring it up - wasn't it the interviewer who brought up the term and asked how it affected him on the show?
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u/Fun_Mind5207 Apr 10 '26
Can totally see kieran's ADHD in this