Neurodiversity Market Research

Neurodiversity Market Research

At M·E·L Research, we deliver specialist neurodiversity market research, social research, evaluation and learning partnerships that help organisations better understand neurodivergent experiences and create more inclusive services, policies and workplaces.

We work with charities, government bodies, regulators, employers, education providers and system partners to deliver high-quality neuroinclusive research grounded in lived experience, methodological rigour and accessible research methods.

Our work spans qualitative and quantitative research, consultation, evaluation and insight generation with neurodivergent participants across areas including education, employment, accessibility, criminal justice, public services and customer experience.

Research that improves understanding of neurodivergent experiences

Understanding neurodiversity requires more than standard research approaches. Many traditional methodologies unintentionally exclude neurodivergent voices through inaccessible design, rigid participation formats or assumptions about communication preferences.

At M·E·L Research, we design neuroinclusive research that enables people to participate in ways that work for them. Our approach combines robust evidence generation with inclusive, flexible and ethical research practice.

We support organisations to:

• Understand the lived experiences of neurodivergent people
• Explore barriers to inclusion, participation and accessibility
• Develop more inclusive workplaces, services and systems
• Improve policy, communications and service delivery
• Build evidence for campaigns, advocacy and funding
• Design services that better reflect diverse cognitive experiences

Our work includes research with autistic people, people with ADHD, dyslexia and other neurodivergent experiences, alongside broader accessibility and inclusion research.

We have recently delivered neurodiversity market research projects for: Mind CPSL, Fairer Finance, British Dyslexia Association, Office of Rail and Road.

Neurodiversity research specialists

Research with neurodivergent participants requires more than technical expertise. It requires understanding of neurodivergent brains, flexibility, empathy, accessible communication and a genuine understanding of how research processes can create barriers to participation.

M·E·L Research has extensive experience delivering neurodiversity market research using accessible research methods designed with divergent audiences in mind:

Our work is grounded in:

• Neuroinclusive research design
• Accessible research methods and materials
• Participatory approaches that put lived experience at the heart of research
• Flexible qualitative and quantitative methodologies
• Trauma informed and ethical research practice
• Safeguarding and participant wellbeing throughout delivery
• Clear and actionable reporting

We also bring lived experience into our work – many of our researchers and evaluators are neurodivergent . This strengthens our understanding of participant preferences and helps us create research environments that are supportive, respectful and inclusive.

Our neuroinclusive research approach

Accessible research methods

We recognise that accessibility is not an add-on to research design, it should be embedded throughout the entire participant journey.

Our accessible research methods can include:

• Dyslexia-friendly survey design
• Plain and coloured backgrounds and easy-to-read fonts
• Accessible language
• Flexible participation formats
• Written, audio and video response options
• Audio read-out of survey questionsParticipant information sheets shared in advance
• Clear expectations around research activities and timings
• The ability to take part in interviews in preferred format, e.g. online, face to face, telephone, text/WhatsApp
• Additional processing time and breaks where needed
• Moderators experienced in neuroinclusive facilitation and often with lived experience of neurodiversity themselves

As experts in research with neurodivergent participants, we tailor methodologies to participant preferences and project requirements, ensuring neurodivergent participants can engage comfortably and meaningfully.

Children’s exposure to harmful content research

We conduct specialist research exploring how children encounter and experience harmful content online.

This includes:

• Suicide and self-harm content
• Eating disorder related content
• Depression related content
• Algorithmic exposure and recommendation systems
• Emotional and behavioural impact
• Protective factors and digital literacy
• Research that informs child safety duties, safeguarding policy and preventative strategy.

Inclusive qualitative research

We deliver in-depth interviews, online communities, focus groups, ethnographic approaches and participatory research with neurodivergent participants.

Our qualitative work is designed to create psychologically safe environments where participants feel comfortable sharing their experiences openly. We understand that communication preferences vary significantly and we adapt our moderation approaches accordingly.

This can include: sharing discussion materials in advance, offering camera-off participation, providing written prompts alongside verbal discussion, using asynchronous engagement methods, building additional flexibility into moderation, and reducing sensory and cognitive overload during sessions.

Quantitative neurodiversity research

We also deliver large-scale quantitative studies exploring neurodivergent experiences, inclusion, accessibility and participation.

Our quantitative work combines methodological rigour with inclusive survey design to maximise participation and data quality.

We have experience delivering:

• Large-scale online surveys
• Mixed-methods research programmes
• Segmentation and audience insight
• Experience tracking studies
• Accessibility and inclusion research
• Workforce and employment studies
• Regulatory and policy research

Participatory and lived experience approaches

We believe neurodiversity research is strongest when it put lived experience at the centre of research

Where appropriate, we incorporate participatory approaches that enable neurodivergent participants to shape research design, inform interpretation and influence recommendations.

This helps ensure findings are credible, meaningful and grounded in real-world experiences.

Our neurodiversity market research experience

Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System

M·E·L Research delivered qualitative research exploring the experiences of neurodivergent women within the criminal justice system, alongside the perspectives of professionals working within custody, probation and rehabilitation settings.

The research included:

• Depth interviews with neurodivergent women with lived experience of the criminal justice system
• Online focus groups with criminal justice professionals
• Exploration of diagnosis, support, accessibility and systemic barriers
• Flexible remote participation methods
• Structured qualitative topic guides and inclusive moderation approaches

The study generated rich first-hand evidence about the experiences of neurodivergent women across the criminal justice system.

British Dyslexia Association: Young People and Dyslexia

The British Dyslexia Association commissioned M·E·L Research to conduct a major mixed-methods study exploring the lived experiences of dyslexic young people aged 13–18.

The research aimed to understand how dyslexia impacts young people’s lives, including their experiences within education, wellbeing, confidence and day-to-day life, alongside exploring changes young people and their families would like to see.

The study included:

• A large-scale online survey with 500 young people aged 13–18 and their parents
• Dyslexia-accessible survey design including plain coloured screen background, accessible font and audio read-out options for questions
• Flexible response formats including the option to audio record open-text responses instead of typing
• In-depth interviews with young people
• Online focus groups with parents and carers
• Inclusive recruitment and consent processes

The final report, titled ‘Set Up For Somebody Else‘ was launched at the Palace of Westminster with contributions from young people, parliamentarians and national stakeholders. The findings have helped shape the British Dyslexia Association’s national strategy aimed at unlocking the potential of dyslexic individuals.

British Dyslexia Association: Dyslexia in the Workplace

M·E·L Research worked with the British Dyslexia Association on a major study exploring the experiences of adults with dyslexia in the workplace.

The research is designed to build understanding of how dyslexia impacts employment, inclusion, participation and workplace wellbeing.

The project includes:

• A large-scale online survey with over 1,000 adults who identify as dyslexic
• An online qualitative community exploring lived experiences in greater depth
• Flexible written, audio and video participation options
• Accessible and dyslexia-friendly research materials
• Integrated quantitative and qualitative analysis

The study will support evidence generation around workplace inclusion, recruitment, retention and career progression.

British Dyslexia Association: Research with Dyslexic NEET Young People

M·E·L Research conducted research exploring the experiences of dyslexic young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). This research was commissioned to support the BDA’s evidentiary submissions to Alan Milburn’s independent review into Young People and Work for the Department for Work and Pensions (Young people and work: interim report – GOV.UK)

This work explores the impact and role of unidentified and unsupported dyslexia on the outcomes of those that are NEET, , helping to strengthen understanding of how systems and services can better support neurodivergent young people.

Office of Rail and Road: Passenger Assist Research

M·E·L Research has delivered annual Passenger Assist research on behalf of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the independent regulator for Britain’s railways.

The research explores the experiences of disabled passengers using Passenger Assist services, including people with neurodiverse conditions, communication disorders and complex accessibility needs.

The programme involved:

• Large-scale mixed-mode quantitative research
• Inclusive survey design and accessibility considerations
• Research with participants with visible and non-visible disabilities
• Methodological adaptations to support participation among harder-to-reach audiences
• Insight generation to support regulatory monitoring and service improvement

CPSL Mind: Suicide Prevention Capacity Builder Project

M·E·L Research evaluated a suicide prevention capacity-building programme delivered across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire, focused on improving outcomes within LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and migrant communities.

The project explored how suicide prevention activity could be strengthened through partnership working, community engagement and inclusive approaches tailored to the needs of underserved groups.

The evaluation included:

• Mixed-methods evaluation design
• Stakeholder interviews and engagement
• Observational visits and programme review
• Baseline and follow-up surveys
• Ripple Effects Mapping (REM)
• Monitoring data analysis and impact assessment
• Co-design and participatory approaches

The project generated detailed evidence around programme outcomes, partnership development and community impact, alongside practical recommendations to support future suicide prevention activity.

Fairer Finance: Research with Vulnerable Insurance Customers

M·E·L Research conducted qualitative research on behalf of Fairer Finance and a major UK motor insurer exploring the experiences of vulnerable insurance customers, including dyslexic people, people with mild learning disabilities, digitally excluded customers, bereaved customers and people experiencing anxiety.

The project focused on understanding how customers engaged with insurance documentation and communications, and identifying barriers to accessibility, usability and understanding.

The research included:

• Online and telephone depth interviews
• Accessibility and customer journey testing
• Inclusive qualitative recruitment
• Adapted moderation approaches
• Flexible participation methods
• Accessible communication materials

Why organisations choose M·E·L Research for neurodiversity market research

• Proven expertise in neurodiversity market research
• Experience working with neurodivergent participants across multiple sectors
• Neuroinclusive research specialists with lived experience insight
• Accessible research methods embedded throughout delivery
• Strong qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods capability
• Ethical, inclusive and trauma informed practice
• Flexible methodologies tailored to participant needs
• Clear reporting and actionable recommendations
• We act as a learning partner, not just a research supplier.

Talk to us about neurodiversity market research

If you are designing services, developing policy, improving accessibility or seeking to better understand neurodivergent experiences, we would love to work with you.

Get in touch to discuss how M·E·L Research can support your next neurodiversity market research, evaluation or learning project.