Selective inclusion – the resourcification of neurodivergent individuals by consulting companies

Purpose This study analyzes how consultancies at the forefront of neurodiversity advocacy turn neurodivergent individuals into resources to increase their employability. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on resourcification theory, the study presents a qualitative analysis of how three specialist consultancies dedicated to promoting neuroinclusive workplaces use their websites to demonstrate that employing neurodivergent individuals can deliver value for corporations. Findings The analysis explains how specialist consultancies resourcify neurodivergent individuals. They focus on corporations as adequate resourcification contexts, demonstrate the strong resource potential of neurodivergent individuals, guide neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals through the creation of value from neurodivergence, and develop a regime of value that demonstrates how neurodivergent individuals can become resources in the labor market. Originality/value The study not only analyzes how consultancies actively contribute to the careers of neurodivergent individuals and the development of neuroinclusive organizations but also shows that, in the name of inclusion, specialist consultancies create a dichotomy between neurodivergent individuals who can become a corporate resource and those who cannot. Consultancies help neurodivergent individuals find a career, but this is a selective resource-based inclusion – not for all, not everywhere, and not all the time. Selective inclusion points to the need to construct alternative resourcification processes for those who do not benefit from it.