Inside Arcus with Maria Josey
At Arcus, we’re proud to have a workplace where individuality is recognised, supported and celebrated. We’re sharing the stories of colleagues who want to open up about their own journeys with the goal of furthering a more inclusive and understanding environment.
Maria Josey, Executive Assistant to the CEO, shares her experience of receiving an adult ADHD diagnosis and how understanding more about themselves has helped both at home and at work. They reflect on what the diagnosis has meant to them, the support they’ve received and the importance of embracing neurodiversity in the workplace.
Maria Josey
Executive Assistant to CEO
Like many parents of neurodiverse children, I’ve spent years navigating the education and healthcare systems. In doing so, I began to see that some of my children’s sensitivities and quirks mirrored my own. It was a bit of a lightbulb moment.
Seeking a diagnosis became a way to better understand myself. I already knew the answer deep down, getting a formal diagnosis just gave it a name. I couldn’t ask my children to fully embrace who they are without doing the same for myself. While being diagnosed later in life didn’t change my past or the challenges I’ve faced, it did allow me to understand how my brain works and why I’ve always felt a little different.
I went through the NHS ‘Right to Choose’ pathway and found the process to be really straightforward. I filled in some forms and had a video call with an occupational therapist, who gave me the diagnosis and shared resources for support.
Since sharing this with colleagues at Arcus, the response has been nothing but supportive. It’s incredibly empowering to work in a place where differences aren’t just accepted, they’re valued. It’s even encouraged others to open up and share their own stories.
Arcus has helped make adjustments that really work for me. I now have a dual monitor and a sit-stand desk, which helps me stay focused and comfortable throughout the day. I can wear noise-cancelling headphones when I need to focus and plan short movement breaks during meetings, which really helps.
Even small changes have had a big impact, like using an AI transcription function in meetings to help capture details I might otherwise miss. The planner tools and accessibility features Arcus already have in place have also made a real difference.
If anyone is going through something similar, I’d say this: a diagnosis is just the beginning. Talk to someone you trust, your manager, a colleague, a friend. You don’t need to have all the answers, and you definitely don’t need to go through it alone. Speaking to other neurodivergent people has helped me find practical tips and feel part of a wider community.
One in seven people in the UK is thought to be neurodivergent*. You are not alone.
