Neurodiversity within Australian Defence Force (ADF) Medical Transitions

Share Neurodiversity within Australian Defence Force (ADF) Medical Transitions on Facebook Share Neurodiversity within Australian Defence Force (ADF) Medical Transitions on Twitter Share Neurodiversity within Australian Defence Force (ADF) Medical Transitions on Linkedin Email Neurodiversity within Australian Defence Force (ADF) Medical Transitions link

Introduction

Since the establishment of the Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide, increasing attention has been paid to the mental health impacts of military service. While extensive research has explored neuropsychiatric conditions like PTSD and anxiety among veterans, there remains a significant gap in understanding how these conditions intersect with neurodiversity, particularly in the context of military service and subsequent transition to civilian life. Neurodiversity is known to be a factor that is prevalent among veterans (British Dyslexia Association, 2021). Evidence suggests that neurodistinct veterans often struggle with reintegration to civilian life due to a lack of structure, stability, and predictability (MacLean et al., 2014). These traits often overlap with trauma-related symptoms like hyperactivity, social challenges, difficulty concentrating, and engaging in risky behaviours, yet there is a lack of research examining this comorbidity in an Australian context. Despite historical recruitment barriers and stigma, the ADF has begun to recognise the value of neurodistinct capabilities, particularly in fields such as cybersecurity (Fung, 2022; Austin & Pisano, 2017). However, there is limited understanding of how neurodiverse personnel experience military service, medical transition, and disclosure of diagnoses and how these experiences impact wellbeing, identity, and career outcomes.

About This Project

This study looks at how defence policy, military culture, mental health systems, and workplace inclusion affect neurodistinct members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). It explores whether people choose not to disclose a neurodivergent diagnosis because they are worried about the impact on their career, and how this decision may affect their sense of identity, mental well-being, and ongoing service.

The research aims to improve understanding of how ADF and community systems can better support neurodivergent personnel who have undergone medical transitions. It is hoped that findings will be used to inform more inclusive policies and practices, reduce barriers, and help to improve medical transition experiences. Overall, this study will provide evidence to support policy reform, strengthen psychological safety within the ADF, and recognise neurodiversity as a strength that can contribute positively across an individual’s entire service career.

We Want To Know About

We want to know about your experience with military transition, and if neurodiverse characteristics exist in military populations and the impact they have on medical transitions. This research aims to address a critical gap in the literature by exploring the lived experiences of medically transitioned ADF personnel through a three-phase design, including those who are neurodiverse, stigma, and organisational inclusion. The research will contribute to evidence-based recommendations for improving psychological safety, retention, and inclusive practices within defence.

Specifically, this research aims to:
1. Examine how neurodivergent traits can be harnessed within the ADF to improve retention, reduce mental health risks, and minimise unnecessary medical discharges.
2. Identify the cultural and systemic reforms needed to support the sustainable inclusion of neurodistinct personnel in the ADF.


Your information stays private. Any information you provide will be kept confidential and handled in line with ethical research guidelines. Your name and any identifying details will not appear in reports, publications, or presentations. Data will be stored securely, and only the research team will have access to it.

This project has received ethical clearance from both Griffith University (Reference # 2025/942) and DDVA HREC (Reference # 668-25).


How To Participate

You can participate by completing the online survey by clicking the link below. If you would like to participate in further Phases of the study, including Online In-depth Interviews conducted by the research team, please ensure you have completed the relevant contact details at the final stages of the survey. Further information and questions can be emailed to samantha.cronin@griffithuni.edu.au



Introduction

Since the establishment of the Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide, increasing attention has been paid to the mental health impacts of military service. While extensive research has explored neuropsychiatric conditions like PTSD and anxiety among veterans, there remains a significant gap in understanding how these conditions intersect with neurodiversity, particularly in the context of military service and subsequent transition to civilian life. Neurodiversity is known to be a factor that is prevalent among veterans (British Dyslexia Association, 2021). Evidence suggests that neurodistinct veterans often struggle with reintegration to civilian life due to a lack of structure, stability, and predictability (MacLean et al., 2014). These traits often overlap with trauma-related symptoms like hyperactivity, social challenges, difficulty concentrating, and engaging in risky behaviours, yet there is a lack of research examining this comorbidity in an Australian context. Despite historical recruitment barriers and stigma, the ADF has begun to recognise the value of neurodistinct capabilities, particularly in fields such as cybersecurity (Fung, 2022; Austin & Pisano, 2017). However, there is limited understanding of how neurodiverse personnel experience military service, medical transition, and disclosure of diagnoses and how these experiences impact wellbeing, identity, and career outcomes.

About This Project

This study looks at how defence policy, military culture, mental health systems, and workplace inclusion affect neurodistinct members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). It explores whether people choose not to disclose a neurodivergent diagnosis because they are worried about the impact on their career, and how this decision may affect their sense of identity, mental well-being, and ongoing service.

The research aims to improve understanding of how ADF and community systems can better support neurodivergent personnel who have undergone medical transitions. It is hoped that findings will be used to inform more inclusive policies and practices, reduce barriers, and help to improve medical transition experiences. Overall, this study will provide evidence to support policy reform, strengthen psychological safety within the ADF, and recognise neurodiversity as a strength that can contribute positively across an individual’s entire service career.

We Want To Know About

We want to know about your experience with military transition, and if neurodiverse characteristics exist in military populations and the impact they have on medical transitions. This research aims to address a critical gap in the literature by exploring the lived experiences of medically transitioned ADF personnel through a three-phase design, including those who are neurodiverse, stigma, and organisational inclusion. The research will contribute to evidence-based recommendations for improving psychological safety, retention, and inclusive practices within defence.

Specifically, this research aims to:
1. Examine how neurodivergent traits can be harnessed within the ADF to improve retention, reduce mental health risks, and minimise unnecessary medical discharges.
2. Identify the cultural and systemic reforms needed to support the sustainable inclusion of neurodistinct personnel in the ADF.


Your information stays private. Any information you provide will be kept confidential and handled in line with ethical research guidelines. Your name and any identifying details will not appear in reports, publications, or presentations. Data will be stored securely, and only the research team will have access to it.

This project has received ethical clearance from both Griffith University (Reference # 2025/942) and DDVA HREC (Reference # 668-25).


How To Participate

You can participate by completing the online survey by clicking the link below. If you would like to participate in further Phases of the study, including Online In-depth Interviews conducted by the research team, please ensure you have completed the relevant contact details at the final stages of the survey. Further information and questions can be emailed to samantha.cronin@griffithuni.edu.au


  • Neurodiversity within Australian Defence Force (ADF) Medical Transitions

    This research seeks to explore the lived experiences of medically transitioned Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, with specific attention to how neurodivergent traits are understood, experienced, and navigated within Defence environments. The purpose of this project is to develop an exploratory, context-specific understanding of the cultural and systemic factors that influence inclusion, well-being, identity, and pathways leading to medical transition.

    Research Aims

    1. Explore the lived experiences of medically transitioned Veterans.
    2. Examine how neurodivergent traits are perceived, responded to, or accommodated within Defence organisational settings.
    3. Identify cultural and systemic practices that may support more inclusive environments for neurodistinct personnel.


    This research is situated at the intersection of Defence policy reform, military culture, mental health systems, and workplace inclusion. The project examines whether neurodistinct personnel may feel deterred from disclosing their traits or diagnoses due to perceived career impacts, and how this influences their identity, mental well-being, and service trajectories.

    Take Survey
    Share Neurodiversity within Australian Defence Force (ADF) Medical Transitions on Facebook Share Neurodiversity within Australian Defence Force (ADF) Medical Transitions on Twitter Share Neurodiversity within Australian Defence Force (ADF) Medical Transitions on Linkedin Email Neurodiversity within Australian Defence Force (ADF) Medical Transitions link