Could France Lead Europe in Neurodivergent Economic Liberation? A Question of Infrastructure, Dignity, and French Excellence
What if the next Marie Curie is currently cleaning offices in Paris because no one will hire an autistic woman?
This isn't a hypothetical.
This is happening now, across France, across Europe, across the world.
Eighty per cent of autistic adults in France are unemployed, not because they cannot work, but because our shared infrastructure was designed for only one way of functioning.
France stands at a crossroads.
We can continue treating this as an individual problem, asking neurodivergent people to adapt to systems that cause them daily harm.
Or we can recognise this as what it truly is: a design problem with design solutions.
And in doing so, France could lead Europe in demonstrating that economic participation based on dignity, not just productivity, is not only possible; it's profitable.
The Invisible Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight
Walk through any French city.
In those crowds are people who expend enormous energy every day just to appear "normal" enough to be accepted.
They are colleagues who seem "difficult" but are drowning in sensory chaos.
They are family members dismissed as "lazy" who battle executive function challenges every moment.
They are professionals who mask constantly, exhausted by the performance of normality.
They are French.
They already belong.
The question is whether France will recognise them.
Traditional employment opportunities have been limited to medical-professional institutes, which often don't address the actual needs of neurodivergent people.
The assumption has been that neurodivergent people need to be "fixed" before they can participate economically.
This assumption is not only false, it's costing France enormous talent and innovation.
When France Celebrated Different Minds
Consider the minds that gave France its reputation for intellectual and cultural excellence:
Marie Curie, who exhibited intense focus, pattern recognition abilities, and social communication differences that today would likely result in an autism diagnosis.
She struggled with social norms, preferred solitary laboratory work, and possessed the kind of hyperfocus that led to groundbreaking discoveries.
If she had been forced to conform to "normal" workplace socialisation expectations before being allowed to conduct research, would she have revolutionised physics and chemistry?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, whose emotional intensity, social challenges, and unconventional thinking patterns suggest neurodivergence.
His philosophical works emerged precisely because his mind processed social contracts and human nature differently from his contemporaries.
If he had been required to "fit in" before being taken seriously, would we have The Social Contract?
Claude Monet, whose visual processing differences, his unique way of perceiving light and colour, were likely manifestations of neurodivergent sensory processing.
The very thing that made his work "strange" at the time gave rise to Impressionism.
If he had been told his way of seeing was wrong and needed correction, would we have Water Lilies?
Erik Satie, the composer, whose rigid routines, unconventional thinking, and social difficulties are well-documented.
His neurodivergent cognitive style gave us furniture music and influenced modern composition.
If he had been forced into neurotypical working patterns, would he have composed Gymnopédies?
We celebrate these figures now, but only after they proved their value through suffering. How many brilliant minds are we losing today because we demand they conform before we'll listen?
This Is Not Identity Politics. This Is Infrastructure.
France rightly resists identity politics when it fragments rather than unifies.
This is not about creating a "neurodivergent identity" separate from being French.
This is about recognising that our shared infrastructure, our workplaces, our communication systems, our hiring processes- were designed for only one type of mind.
When a building has stairs but no ramp, we don't say wheelchair users are asking for "special treatment." We say the building was poorly designed.
The same is true for minds.
When a neurodivergent person says, "I need written instructions, not just verbal," they're not being difficult.
They're revealing that our assumption, that everyone processes information identically, is false.
When they say "I need to work in quiet environments," they're not being antisocial.
They're showing us that our open-plan offices cause them physical pain.
These are not personality problems.
These are design problems.
And design problems have design solutions.
Égalité Requires Recognition, Not Erasure
France's commitment to égalité, equality, is profound.
But true equality cannot mean forcing everyone to function identically.
When we insist that everyone adapt to a single way of working, we don't create equality.
We create invisible suffering.
Égalité means ensuring everyone has the infrastructure they need to participate fully. That's not special treatment.
That's the literal definition of equality.
Neurodivergent people are already French.
They already belong.
The question is whether France will recognise them, or continue to make their daily struggles invisible in the name of sameness.
Eighty per cent of autistic children in France don't attend mainstream schools.
If our system worked for everyone, these statistics would be impossible.
The fact that they exist reveals that "treating everyone the same" actually means "treating everyone as if they were neurotypical."
That's not equality.
That's invisibility.
Fraternité Means No One Should Suffer Invisibly
Fraternité, solidarity, means we care for each other's well-being.
But how can we care for suffering we refuse to see?
Every person reading this knows someone who struggles in ways others don't see. Perhaps it's you, masking constantly, exhausted.
You are not alone.
And you should not have to suffer invisibly.
When neurodivergent people describe sensory overwhelm, executive function challenges, or communication differences, they're not asking for special treatment.
They're revealing that our shared systems cause daily harm.
Solidarity requires listening, not dismissing.
French organisations that recognise this aren't just demonstrating corporate social responsibility.
They're demonstrating that French solidarity extends to all French minds.
This is heritage-building, not just good PR.
Innovation Requires Cognitive Diversity, Not Conformity
France gave the world the Enlightenment, the Declaration of the Rights of Man, revolutionary art and philosophy.
None of these innovations came from conformity.
They came from minds that thought differently.
When we design systems that demand everyone to think and work identically, we don't protect French culture.
We suffocate it.
Neurodivergent minds are not disruptions to French excellence.
They are expressions of it.
Research shows that neurodivergent employees bring unique capabilities, including pattern recognition, attention to detail, systematisation, and innovative thinking. Organisations increasingly recognise that neurodivergent cognitive differences foster innovation and creativity, giving them a competitive advantage in sectors requiring these skills.
Here's the critical distinction: This is not about extracting value from neurodivergent people.
The American model says, "hire neurodivergent people because they're profitable."
This is extractive.
It treats human beings as resources to be mined.
France can offer something better.
France's Unique Position: Post-Capitalist Economic Models
France has always positioned itself as a philosophical and economic alternative to Anglo-American capitalism.
Here is an opportunity to prove it.
What if economic participation were based on dignity, not productivity?
What if we measured contribution by whether people can use their strengths, not whether they've suppressed their differences?
This programme would demonstrate that when we provide the right infrastructure, neurodivergent people don't need to be "fixed" to contribute economically.
They need systems designed with all minds in mind.
This is the post-capitalist model France is uniquely positioned to lead.
Every neurodivergent person who has been told "you're too slow," "you're too difficult," "you can't work in teams" carries shame that is not theirs to carry.
This shame was created by systems that measure human worth by productivity.
But worth is not productivity.
Dignity is not earned by output.
You are valuable because you exist. Full stop.
Who's Already Working Toward This Vision
Several French organisations are already building pieces of this infrastructure:
Autisme en Île-de-France (AeIDF) manages 10 establishments supporting nearly 450 people across the autism spectrum, demonstrating what's possible when systems are designed for neurodivergent needs.
CLE Autistes, a self-advocacy organisation run by and for autistic people, challenges deficit narratives and advocates for systemic change, embodying the principle of "nothing about us without us."
Singularity Paris provides workplace neurodiversity training, though 57% of senior leaders and 37% of managers report having received no neurodiversity training, revealing enormous unmet demand.
AGEFIPH funds disability employment programmes, though current approaches often focus on accommodation rather than infrastructure transformation.
FIPHFP supports public sector disability employment, demonstrating government commitment to this issue.
International companies with Paris operations, such as Danone, L'Oréal, Airbus, Capgemini, and Accenture, have existing DEI initiatives, but most still approach neurodivergence through the lens of accommodation rather than infrastructure.
Fondation de France and Fondation Malakoff Humanis Handicap support social innovation, creating potential partnerships for systemic approaches.
The infrastructure exists.
The question is whether we'll connect it with a unified vision.
What Technology Infrastructure Makes Possible
Modern technology enables what was previously impossible: systems that adapt to neurodivergent needs rather than demanding neurodivergent people adapt to systems.
Automation can handle the executive function tasks that drain neurodivergent entrepreneurs.
CRM systems can provide the structure and consistency that support neurodivergent cognitive processing.
Visual workflows can replace ambiguous verbal instructions. Asynchronous communication can accommodate those who need time to process.
This isn't theoretical. This infrastructure exists now.
The question is whether French organisations will implement it.
The Research Opportunity
The 8th European Autism Congress will take place in Paris in May 2026, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and advocates under the theme "Bridging Perspectives: Advancing Understanding, Inclusion, and Innovation in Autism Care."
What if France used this platform to present evidence that infrastructure transformation, not just accommodation, enables neurodivergent economic participation?
What if French organisations demonstrated measurable outcomes showing that when systems are redesigned for cognitive diversity, everyone benefits?
The research possibilities are substantial. We could document:
How technology infrastructure reduces executive function barriers
Whether neurodivergent entrepreneurs with appropriate systems achieve sustainable revenue growth
What training mental health professionals need to support neurodivergent entrepreneurship
How corporate hiring systems can be redesigned to recognise neurodivergent strengths
This research could position France as the thought leader in post-capitalist economic models for neurodivergent inclusion.
A Question for Different Stakeholders
For Psychologists and Mental Health Professionals:
Your clients include neurodivergent adults who want to work but can't navigate systems designed for neurotypical processing.
What if you had frameworks and infrastructure to support neurodivergent entrepreneurship?
What if your training included strength-based approaches that focus on removing barriers rather than "fixing" individuals?
French psychological associations could lead Europe in developing these frameworks.
The expertise exists.
The question is whether it will be applied.
For International Corporations with Paris Offices:
Your diversity and inclusion initiatives likely focus on race, gender, and sexual orientation. But 14% of the population (1 in 7 people) is neurodivergent.
This is your largest untapped talent pool.
Your competitors will eventually recognise this.
The question is whether you'll lead or follow. The first organisations to genuinely redesign hiring and workplace systems for neurodivergent strengths will gain a competitive advantage.
But more than this: you'll position your brand as pioneering the future of work.
For Legislators (Left and Right):
To the Left: This is about economic justice and dismantling systems that perpetuate inequality.
Eighty per cent unemployment for autistic adults is a social justice crisis. Infrastructure transformation addresses systemic barriers while honouring human dignity.
To the Right: This is about economic efficiency and reducing dependence on social welfare systems.
Neurodivergent people want to work.
When given appropriate infrastructure, they can contribute economically and support themselves.
This reduces government expenditure while expanding the tax base.
Both perspectives lead to the same conclusion: infrastructure transformation serves French interests.
For Foundations and Funding Bodies:
EU Horizon Europe prioritises social innovation and inclusive economic models. French-led research demonstrating infrastructure approaches to neurodivergent employment would align perfectly with these priorities.
French foundations, such as Fondation de France, have supported innovative social programmes.
This represents an opportunity to fund research with European-wide implications.
The Ultimate Question
When people say "We treat everyone the same here," they mean well.
But by treating everyone identically, we're assuming everyone's needs are identical.
Eighty per cent of autistic adults in France are unemployed.
If our system worked for everyone, these people would be working.
The fact that they're not reveals that "treating everyone the same" actually means "treating everyone as if they were neurotypical."
That's not equality. That's invisibility.
And France can do better.
An Invitation to Imagine
What if the next generation of French innovation came from minds we're currently excluding?
What if Marie Curie hadn't had to fight so hard just to be allowed in the laboratory?
What if French workplaces were designed from the beginning for cognitive diversity, not retrofitted grudgingly?
What if neurodivergent French citizens could contribute economically without sacrificing their well-being?
What if France led Europe in proving that economic systems can honour human dignity?
These aren't hypotheticals. These are choices.
The infrastructure exists.
The talent exists.
The research frameworks exist.
The organisations exist.
The question is whether we'll connect them with a unified purpose.
The question is whether France will lead.
Stone is an Australian systems architect living in Paris, building technology infrastructure for neurodivergent entrepreneurs. He is autistic and has ADHD. His work focuses on creating post-capitalist models of economic participation that honour neurodivergent cognitive diversity. He can be reached through StoneGye.Agency.
Further Reading:
