Dr. Ludmila Praslova on The Canary Code: Why Neurodivergent People Sense Workplace Problems First

Most workplace advice was built for neurotypical brains. Dr. Ludmila Praslova's The Canary Code was built for the rest of us.

Brett sits down with Dr. Praslova — organizational psychologist, Vanguard University professor, 2025 Thinkers50 Talent Award winner, and the first person to publish in Harvard Business Review from an autistic perspective. Her book reframes the coal-mine metaphor through what we now understand about neurodivergent brains. The canary isn't the victim of the story. The canary is the employee whose biology lets them sense problems first. Neurodivergent people — those of us with autism, ADHD, AuDHD, dyslexia, Tourette's, and other ways of processing the world — are playing that role in modern workplaces. We notice broken workflows, toxic culture, and ethical drift before anyone else does. Most organizations treat the signal as the problem.

This conversation covers what to do instead — the six principles of The Canary Code, the Platinum Rule, the derailers that quietly kill neurodiversity work, and how to navigate a workplace that isn't ready to change yet.

Get the book: https://bookshop.org/a/108800/9798890571601

Connect with Dr. Praslova: thecanarycode.com

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(02:38) The Real History of Canaries in Coal Mines

(04:24) Why Neurodivergent Brains Sense Toxicity First

(05:19) "Sensitive Does Not Mean Broken"

(06:37) The Six Principles of The Canary Code

(09:53) The Platinum Rule and Holistic Belonging

(13:19) Why Common Sense Isn't Common Practice

(16:48) Derailers That Kill Neurodiversity Work

(19:00) Navigating Managers Without Burning Out

(25:09) Why We Need More Neurodivergent Leaders

(25:56) Where to Find The Canary Code

If you're an HR or L&D leader interested in bringing this work into your organization, I offer corporate training and consulting. Email brett@audhdboss.com.