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The Canary Code

A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work

Paperback
$29.95 US
6"W x 9"H | 13 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Feb 24, 2026 | 352 Pages | 9798890571601

The award-winning guide to creating workplaces where neurodivergent talent—your organizational canaries—can thrive, benefiting everyone.

Despite valuable skills and strong work ethics, neurodivergent individuals (those with ADHD, autism, Tourette Syndrome, and learning differences) face significant employment barriers. In the US, 30-40% of neurodivergent people and 85% of autistic college graduates struggle with unemployment.

This practical guide helps CEOs, managers, HR leaders, and change-makers build truly inclusive workplaces by addressing systemic issues that harm everyone. Drawing on 25+ years of global experience and research on uniquely inclusive organizations, the book offers:

  • An intersectional approach to neuroinclusion
  • Holistic understanding of human differences (social, cognitive, emotional, physical)
  • Comprehensive talent practices from job descriptions to leadership development
  • Global perspectives celebrating diverse neurodivergent voices
  • Actionable strategies for change at any organizational level

With a blend of lived experience, academic rigor, and accessible writing, this groundbreaking work clearly distinguishes between academic, applied, and personal content, allowing readers to navigate the material according to their needs and interests.
"This bold, compassionate, and ambitious book aims to do nothing less than to redesign workplaces so that every employee has the support they need to achieve success. Full of practical insights, it's a comprehensive blueprint for a future in which all kinds of minds can work together for collective benefit." 
—Steve Silberman, author, NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity
 
“The Canary Code fills an important gap in management literature about neurodiversity and inclusion at work. It illuminates and inspires, and it provides practical guidance for leaders who want to create systems that support different types of talent while producing positive outcomes and a healthy workplace for all.”
—Abbie Lundberg, editor in chief, MIT Sloan Management Review

The Canary Code is a game-changing look at organizational leadership and diversity. This work is a paradigm shift in moving away from outdated practices and developing inclusive talent systems where everyone can thrive.”
—Dorie Clark, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game and executive education faculty, Duke University Fuqua School of Business
 
The Canary Code is a timely, wise, and life-giving book—a must-read for those seeking to grow as leaders, especially those in marginalized populations who identify as neurodivergent, highly sensitive, or introverted, and for everyone aiming to make a positive difference in their organizations.”
—Karen An-hwei Lee, Provost and Professor of English, Wheaton College
 
“An enlightening guide for holistic neuroinclusion at work.”
—Deepa Purushothaman, author of The First, the Few, the Only

“Where has this book been my whole life? As a family member of and friend to many neurodivergent people and as a coach to neurodivergent leaders, I wished this thoughtful, helpful book had been written decades ago. But it’s here now, and nobody should wait another minute to dig into the rich insights and practical approaches that Dr. Praslova offers.”
—Deborah Riegel, coauthor of Go to Help
 
“Give everyone in your organization a copy of this, read it together, and then open your eyes to the magic of the multiple layers of diverse people with whom you’ve been gifted. Embrace them, welcome them, and ultimately, learn to include them. None of us are included until we’re all included.”
—Ron Carucci, Managing Partner, Navalent, and bestselling author of Rising to Power and To Be Honest
 
The Canary Code is a road map to creating more compassionate workplaces that bring out the best in everyone. This is a must-read for all who want to be effective allies.”
—Lan Nguyen Chaplin, Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications, Northwestern University
 
“As the head of people operations at a financial services company, I find The Canary Code both informative and practical. This hands-on information can assist companies in cultivating cultures of belonging, attracting top talent, and retaining diverse employees, providing an edge in today’s competitive business world. The Canary Code delivers on arming companies with the facts about neurodiversity and offers salient executable ideas.”
—Ashly Williams, Senior Director of People Operations, Veri-Tax
Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, is a Professor of Psychology and the founding Director of Graduate Programs in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Vanguard University of Southern California. Prior to her academic career, she built and led successful intercultural relations programs in global organizations. Her current consulting is focused on supporting organizations in creating systemic inclusion informed by an understanding of neurodiversity. Her other areas of expertise include organizational culture assessment and change, workplace justice and civility, productivity and well-being, and training and training evaluation. She is the editor of Evidence-Based Organizational Practices for Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Equity (Cambridge Scholars). She is a member of the Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2024, a cohort of 30 up-and-coming thinkers whose ideas are predicted to shape management in the coming years.
Ludmila N. Praslova, PhD View titles by Ludmila N. Praslova, PhD

About

The award-winning guide to creating workplaces where neurodivergent talent—your organizational canaries—can thrive, benefiting everyone.

Despite valuable skills and strong work ethics, neurodivergent individuals (those with ADHD, autism, Tourette Syndrome, and learning differences) face significant employment barriers. In the US, 30-40% of neurodivergent people and 85% of autistic college graduates struggle with unemployment.

This practical guide helps CEOs, managers, HR leaders, and change-makers build truly inclusive workplaces by addressing systemic issues that harm everyone. Drawing on 25+ years of global experience and research on uniquely inclusive organizations, the book offers:

  • An intersectional approach to neuroinclusion
  • Holistic understanding of human differences (social, cognitive, emotional, physical)
  • Comprehensive talent practices from job descriptions to leadership development
  • Global perspectives celebrating diverse neurodivergent voices
  • Actionable strategies for change at any organizational level

With a blend of lived experience, academic rigor, and accessible writing, this groundbreaking work clearly distinguishes between academic, applied, and personal content, allowing readers to navigate the material according to their needs and interests.

Praise

"This bold, compassionate, and ambitious book aims to do nothing less than to redesign workplaces so that every employee has the support they need to achieve success. Full of practical insights, it's a comprehensive blueprint for a future in which all kinds of minds can work together for collective benefit." 
—Steve Silberman, author, NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity
 
“The Canary Code fills an important gap in management literature about neurodiversity and inclusion at work. It illuminates and inspires, and it provides practical guidance for leaders who want to create systems that support different types of talent while producing positive outcomes and a healthy workplace for all.”
—Abbie Lundberg, editor in chief, MIT Sloan Management Review

The Canary Code is a game-changing look at organizational leadership and diversity. This work is a paradigm shift in moving away from outdated practices and developing inclusive talent systems where everyone can thrive.”
—Dorie Clark, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game and executive education faculty, Duke University Fuqua School of Business
 
The Canary Code is a timely, wise, and life-giving book—a must-read for those seeking to grow as leaders, especially those in marginalized populations who identify as neurodivergent, highly sensitive, or introverted, and for everyone aiming to make a positive difference in their organizations.”
—Karen An-hwei Lee, Provost and Professor of English, Wheaton College
 
“An enlightening guide for holistic neuroinclusion at work.”
—Deepa Purushothaman, author of The First, the Few, the Only

“Where has this book been my whole life? As a family member of and friend to many neurodivergent people and as a coach to neurodivergent leaders, I wished this thoughtful, helpful book had been written decades ago. But it’s here now, and nobody should wait another minute to dig into the rich insights and practical approaches that Dr. Praslova offers.”
—Deborah Riegel, coauthor of Go to Help
 
“Give everyone in your organization a copy of this, read it together, and then open your eyes to the magic of the multiple layers of diverse people with whom you’ve been gifted. Embrace them, welcome them, and ultimately, learn to include them. None of us are included until we’re all included.”
—Ron Carucci, Managing Partner, Navalent, and bestselling author of Rising to Power and To Be Honest
 
The Canary Code is a road map to creating more compassionate workplaces that bring out the best in everyone. This is a must-read for all who want to be effective allies.”
—Lan Nguyen Chaplin, Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications, Northwestern University
 
“As the head of people operations at a financial services company, I find The Canary Code both informative and practical. This hands-on information can assist companies in cultivating cultures of belonging, attracting top talent, and retaining diverse employees, providing an edge in today’s competitive business world. The Canary Code delivers on arming companies with the facts about neurodiversity and offers salient executable ideas.”
—Ashly Williams, Senior Director of People Operations, Veri-Tax

Author

Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, is a Professor of Psychology and the founding Director of Graduate Programs in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Vanguard University of Southern California. Prior to her academic career, she built and led successful intercultural relations programs in global organizations. Her current consulting is focused on supporting organizations in creating systemic inclusion informed by an understanding of neurodiversity. Her other areas of expertise include organizational culture assessment and change, workplace justice and civility, productivity and well-being, and training and training evaluation. She is the editor of Evidence-Based Organizational Practices for Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Equity (Cambridge Scholars). She is a member of the Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2024, a cohort of 30 up-and-coming thinkers whose ideas are predicted to shape management in the coming years.
Ludmila N. Praslova, PhD View titles by Ludmila N. Praslova, PhD