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Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author or authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Foundation for the Development of the Education System. Neither the European Union nor the entity providing the grant can be held responsible for them.

Neurodivergent Young People Needs Assessment Report

Needs Assessment Findings

Neurodivergent young people are full of entrepreneurial potential. But most business training is built for neurotypical people. Long sessions, vague instructions and forced networking are not personal failings. They are design failings.

We asked neurodivergent young people what would work better. This report shares what they told us.

Who we heard from

Between April and July 2026, we listened to neurodivergent young people aged 16 to 30 across Europe through surveys, focus groups and co-creation workshops.

  • 152 research engagements
  • 91 survey responses from six countries
  • 61 places across focus groups and co-creation sessions in Ireland, Spain and Denmark

What we found

  • 82% are interested in entrepreneurship or have already started.
  • 60% have already earned money from something they created, made or offered.
  • 94% mask their neurodivergence always or sometimes.

Strengths that matter in business: hyperfocus (77%), fast learning when interested (76%), creativity (73%), high energy (62%) and independent working (56%).

The biggest barriers: fear of failure and unclear or inaccessible information, each named by 60%. These are barriers that better programme design can remove.

The central finding

Participants want choice, but not chaos. Good neuroinclusive learning should:

  • make expectations clear and show what “done” looks like
  • break big tasks into small, manageable steps
  • offer several equally valid ways to take part: written, audio, recorded, individual or live
  • respect energy, sensory needs and pace
  • recognise freelancers, microbusinesses and people testing early ideas as entrepreneurs too
  • work without needing a diagnosis or disclosure

Who this report is for

  • Programme designers and partners building entrepreneurship learning
  • Youth workers, trainers, mentors and coaches supporting neurodivergent young people
  • Policymakers and funders looking at gaps in current provision

Needs Assessment Report

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