A diagnosis is just the beginning: navigating neurodivergence in film and TV

For many people, receiving a neurodivergence diagnosis is just the beginning. In this guest blog, Sam Margaritis shares why support, self-understanding, and workplace change matter just as much as the diagnosis itself. 

Many late-diagnosed neurodivergent people describe the same experience. A diagnosis of ADHD, autism, or both can bring relief. Suddenly, years of unexplained challenges make sense. But that relief is often followed by another question: now what? 

A diagnosis doesn’t come with a manual. There’s little follow-up support and no guidance on what it means for the way you work or support yourself. You’re sent back into the same productions, the same freelance contracts, and high-pressure environments, only now with an explanation for something you’ve been managing alone for years. 

You get diagnosed, and then it’s ​“see you later”. What should happen is people get sent straight to coaching. Instead, most are left to figure it out themselves.

For many neurodivergent people, diagnosis comes late. The years before it are often marked by misunderstandings, mental health struggles, and the feeling of being ​‘too much’ without knowing why. 

Many spend years masking their traits to meet the demands of busy sets, production offices, and commissioning teams. In film and TV, where careers are built on reputation, recommendations and short-term contracts, asking for support can feel risky. 

The sensory things that seem small, but aren’t 

Many neurodivergent people spend huge amounts of energy managing sensory discomfort without realising it. They may not know what helps them focus, what drains them, or what adjustments could make daily life easier because they’ve always assumed their experience was normal. 

Film and TV can be particularly demanding. Busy sets, crowded offices, long shoot days, constant interruptions, and changing locations all place additional pressure on neurodivergent workers. 

This is where coaching can help: not as therapy, but as a practical way to build self-awareness, understand personal needs and develop more sustainable ways of working. 

What the film and TV industry could do differently 

Access coordinators can make a real difference for neurodivergent cast and crew, but support remains inconsistent. A freelancer may receive thoughtful adjustments on one production, only to find them absent on the next. 

More broadly, the industry needs a culture where disclosure doesn’t feel professionally risky. Conversations about support should be routine, not crisis driven. 

This doesn’t require a formal diagnosis. Many neurodivergent people are undiagnosed, awaiting assessment or self-identify without formal confirmation. Creating more inclusive workplaces starts with recognising that people work differently and that masking comes at a cost.

Coaching may be available at no cost to you through Access to Work, helping to remove financial barriers to support.

Burnout isn’t inevitable 

Disabled or Neurodivergent respondents had significantly lower wellbeing and significantly higher loneliness compared to others in the industry – Looking Glass Report 2024.

Burnout is widespread across film and TV, but it isn’t inevitable. Much of it can be prevented if we better understand what’s driving it. 

A diagnosis is rarely the end of the story. For many, it’s the start of greater self-awareness, practical adjustments and a reduced need to mask. The industry has an important role to play in making that progress possible. 

Film and TV thrives on creativity, problem-solving, and different ways of thinking. Supporting neurodivergent professionals isn’t just about wellbeing. It’s about helping talented people build sustainable, long-term careers in the industry they love. 

If you’re looking for further support, the Film and TV Charity’s Coaching with work and Wellbeing offers longer-term guidance. You can discover resources and practical advice for neurodivergent professionals working in the screen industries. 

NeuroJungle delivers neurodivergence training for film and TV organisations and production teams. To find out more, visit their website or contact [email protected]