Independent Evaluation of Brain in Hand in the Workplace

About the evaluation 

Neurodivergent employees, including autistic people and those with ADHD, often face workplace challenges linked to stress, mental fatigue, sensory overload, burnout, and difficulties navigating workplace environments that are not always designed around their needs. These challenges impact wellbeing, productivity, retention, and long-term sustainability at work. 

As more employers invest in workplace neuroinclusion, there is growing demand for robust independent evidence showing whether support approaches genuinely improve outcomes for neurodivergent employees in real-world workplace settings. 

To help address this evidence gap, the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) conducted an independent six-month evaluation of Brain in Hand using validated measures of wellbeing and workplace functioning alongside qualitative interviews exploring employee experiences over time. 

The evaluation involved 278 employed autistic and ADHD adults (196 by 6-month follow-up) using Brain in Hand in real-world workplace contexts. 

Key findings 

1. The independent evaluation found significant improvements in wellbeing and workplace functioning 

BIT found statistically significant improvements in wellbeing, work productivity, and mental fatigue over the six-month evaluation period. 

Over 6 months, participants showed, on average: 

• A 30% improvement in wellbeing 
• A 13% increase in self-rated work productivity 
• A 14% reduction in mental fatigue 
• Increased confidence and engagement at work 

Although stable at overall sample level, many participants experiencing workplace absence at baseline reduced or eliminated absence by 6 months. Similarly, 46% of those at high risk of leaving their organisation at baseline were no longer high risk by follow-up. 

2. BIT highlighted the importance of Brain in Hand’s hybrid support model 

Participants consistently identified the combination of practical digital tools and one-to-one coaching as central to positive change. 

Features commonly highlighted included: 

• Mood and wellbeing tracking 
• Structured routines and reminders 
• Real-time coping strategies 
• Practical problem-solving support 
• Personalised coaching 

Participants described these features helping them better manage cognitive load, workload, while improving self-advocacy at work. This led to many feeling less overwhelmed, less stressed, and better able to sustain engagement with work without reaching burnout. 

Importantly, BIT concluded that it was the combination of human support and digital support that appeared to drive positive outcomes, rather than either component in isolation.  

3. Ongoing engagement strengthened outcomes 

The evaluation also found that participants who engaged more consistently with Brain in Hand over time experienced larger improvements in wellbeing after six months. 

This suggests that sustained engagement, alongside supportive workplace environments which facilitate this engagement, may help maximise positive outcomes for neurodivergent employees. 

Why this matters

This independent evaluation provides robust, externally validated evidence that Brain in Hand is associated with meaningful improvements in wellbeing, workplace performance, confidence, and mental fatigue among autistic and ADHD employees in real-world workplace settings. 

Importantly, the findings also identified positive individual-level shifts among participants experiencing workplace absence and those at higher risk of leaving their organisation. 

The evaluation highlights how practical, neuro-affirming support approaches combining digital tools and personalised human support such as BiH can contribute to outcomes directly relevant to both employees and employers, including sustainable workplace participation, productivity, engagement, and retention.