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Every year on May 1, we honor the workers who keep the Philippines running. We celebrate their effort, their contribution, and their value to the economy. But for many of us in the neurodivergent community, Labor Day feels like a celebration we’re still waiting to be invited to.

Neurodivergence includes conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other neurological differences. According to estimates from the World Health Organization, neurodivergence affects around 15 to 20 percent of the global population (WHO, 2022). That means nearly 1 in 5 people think, learn, and process the world in ways that differ from the so-called “neurotypical” majority.

In the Philippines, exact numbers are hard to find. Neurodivergence is still poorly understood and rarely tracked in government data. But if global trends hold true here, that could mean millions of Filipinos — over 2 million, conservatively—living with some form of neurodivergence.

The problem isn’t our ability to work. It’s that we often aren’t given the chance.

Despite our potential, we are frequently excluded from education, training, and employment opportunities. The International Labour Organization has consistently reported that persons with disabilities, including many neurodivergent individuals, face systemic discrimination and higher unemployment rates across Southeast Asia (ILO, 2022). In creative industries, where innovation and fresh thinking should thrive, we’re still left out of the conversation.

At Misfits Camp, I found something different. I found a place that doesn’t just recognize neurodivergent talent—it nurtures it. Here, we’re not seen as burdens. We’re seen as creatives with something to offer. And we do offer a lot. We work hard and we create differently.

The truth is, the labor force in the Philippines is already changing. Creative, remote, and digital industries are booming. But we can’t afford to leave neurodivergent workers behind. We are not a charity case—we are an untapped workforce full of potential. And we’re ready.

All we need is for employers to open their doors—and their minds.

Labor Day is about honoring all workers. Not just the ones who fit the traditional mold—but also those who don't. Those like me.

We can do it too.

We can contribute. We can thrive. We can build, create, and support the economy—if we're given the opportunity to do so.

This Labor Day, I hope the workforce opens its eyes a little wider. There’s so much untapped potential out there. So many voices unheard. And so many minds ready to work.