Breaking barriers: Embracing neurodiversity in tech

Today, there still remains a significant knowledge gap in our community when it comes to working with, managing, and supporting colleagues with hidden disabilities.

In this talk, I will share insights into neurodiversity. As someone with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and autism, I’ll draw on personal experiences and lessons learned from running an employee resource group for individuals with disabilities.

We’ll explore strategies for creating a more inclusive environment for those with hidden disabilities, providing actionable insights to help leaders become better allies, managers, and contributors in the journey toward embracing neurodiversity.

Key takeaways:

* An understanding of some of the more common neurodiverse conditions
* How you can empathize with and support your neurodiverse colleagues, either as their manager or as a co-worker
* How we can support these colleagues in the broader tech community

Transcript

1. Jonathan Fielding / 5th November 2024 / LeadDev Breaking barriers: Embracing neurodiversity in tech
6. College
7. College Dyspraxia and 
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8. College Dyspraxia and 
 Dyslexia 
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9. University College Dyspraxia and 
 Dyslexia 
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10. Crayon University College Dyspraxia and 
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11. Crayon jQuery UK University College Dyspraxia and 
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12. Crayon jQuery UK University College Dyspraxia and 
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13. Crayon M&M jQuery UK London Ajax Talk Future Web Design Talk University College Dyspraxia and 
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14. Beamly Snyk RVU Crayon M&M jQuery UK London Ajax Talk Future Web Design Talk University College Dyspraxia and 
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15. Beamly Snyk RVU Autism Assessment Crayon M&M jQuery UK London Ajax Talk Future Web Design Talk University College Dyspraxia and 
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16. Beamly Snyk RVU Autism Assessment Crayon M&M jQuery UK London Ajax Talk Future Web Design Talk University College Dyspraxia and 
 Dyslexia 
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17. Beamly Snyk RVU Autism Assessment Spendesk Crayon M&M jQuery UK London Ajax Talk Future Web Design Talk University College Dyspraxia and 
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18. These conditions fall under the umbrella term of Neurodiversity ☂
19. MissLunaRose12 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neurodiversity_Crowd_2.png So what is neurodiversity?
20. MissLunaRose12 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neurodiversity_Crowd_2.png So what is neurodiversity?
21. “Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as de fi cits.”” Harvard Health - What is neurodiversity
22. When people brains work differently from the norm they are referred to as neurodivergent
23. It is estimated that around 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent in the general population
24. If we look more speci fi cally 
 at workers in tech that number 
 increases to 53% Source: Tech Talent Charter Diversity in Tech Report 2024
25. However only 
 3% 
 of tech workers disclose it Source: Tech Talent Charter Diversity in Tech Report 2024
26. https://www.voglblakeresearch.com.au/understanding-neurodiversity-the-strengths-challenges-and-support-needs-of-neurodivergent-individuals/
27. Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash Types of Neurodiversity
28. Today I am going to be focusing on talking about 4 common types of neurodivergence
29. ADHD
30. ADHD https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-de fi cit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/symptoms/ Symptoms are categorised into two categories
31. Symptoms are categorised into two categories Inattentiveness • having a short attention span and being easily distracted • making careless mistakes • appearing forgetful or losing things • being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming • appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions • having dif fi culty organising tasks https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-de fi cit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/symptoms/ ADHD
32. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-de fi cit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/symptoms/ Symptoms are categorised into two categories Hyperactivity and impulsiveness • constantly fi dgeting • being unable to concentrate on tasks • excessive talking and interrupting conversations • being unable to wait their turn • acting without thinking • little or no sense of danger ADHD
33. Stereotypes Reality Internalised hyperactivity like a busy, noisy mind Hyperactivity of running around the place Trying to work out social cues of when they can talk Interrupting conversations Thinking about 5/6 things simultaneously and unable to prioritise Unable to concentrate on tasks Making notes and reminders for that thing they absolutely must remember Being forgetful ADHD
34. Strengths that can come from ADHD Creativity Hyper-focus Risk tolerance https://www.verywellhealth.com/bene fi ts-of-adhd-strengths-and-superpowers-5210520 ADHD
35. Autism
36. Autism https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/ Autism is a diagnosis given to people who may have challenges with: • Communications and interactions with other people • Understanding how other people think or feel • Finding things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable • Getting anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events • Taking longer to understand information • Doing or thinking the same things over and over
37. Stereotypes Reality Struggling with situations outside of what they have ‘prepared’ for Wanting things to be done their way or no way Autistic people have a wide range of abilities, strengths and skills All autistic people are savants or possess exceptional talents Expressing or processing emotions differently does not mean a lack of Autistic people lack empathy or emotion Autism
38. Autism Strengths that can come from Autism Logical and methodical thinking ability Attention to detail Passionate for their interests
39. Dyslexia
40. Dyslexia https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dyslexia/ Dyslexia is a diagnosis given to people who may have challenges with: • Reading and writing very slowly • Having poor or inconsistent spelling • Understanding information when told verbally, but having dif fi culty with information that's written down • Planning and organisation
41. Stereotypes Reality Dyslexia makes it dif fi cult to decode and comprehend, not read Dyslexic people can’t read The type of instruction makes a difference, not the effort Dyslexics just need to try harder Dyslexic people are no more likely to have vision problems than others Dyslexia is a visual problem Dyslexia
42. Dyslexia Strengths that can come from Dyslexia Good visual-spatial reasoning Think outside of the box Excel in areas that do not depend on reading, such as math and computers
43. Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)
44. Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder-dyspraxia/ Dyspraxia is a diagnosis given to people who may have challenges with: • Co-ordination, balance and movement • Learning new skills, thinking and remembering information • Writing, typing, drawing and grasping small objects • Managing emotions • Time management, planning and organisational skill
45. Stereotypes Reality Carefully walking everywhere but still bumping into and tripping over things People with dyspraxia are just clumsy Struggles with fi ne motor skills does not equate a low intellect People with dyspraxia have low intelligence Trying to keep everything in order and still having no clear “organisation” People with Dyspraxia are just disorganised Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)
46. Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia) Strengths that can come from Dyspraxia Creative thinking Excel at problem solving Sensitive to the needs of others
48. A lot of these conditions can co-exist
49. Sometimes the symptoms a neurodivergent person might be hidden, this is referred to as masking
50. Photo by João Ferrão on Unsplash Supporting your neurodivergent colleagues
51. 1 Provide Psychological Safety
52. Provide a space where they feel safe to share about themselves
53. Ensure they feel comfortable with asking questions
54. 2 Communication
55. Ensure meetings are clear in their focus
56. Adapt communication to ensure it is clear and concise
57. Support important communications in more than one format
58. Assume best intent in communication
59. 3 Time management
60. Provide a clear routine and work schedule
61. Give clear and concise instructions for tasks
62. Support them to ambiguity
63. Set clear deadlines
64. 4 Attention and focus
65. Ensure there is adequate spacing between meetings
66. Be mindful of their focus time
67. 6 Sensory Sensitivity
68. Give people the option for a personal desk in the of fi ce
69. Help them to avoid sensory distractions
70. 6 Information processing
71. Adapt how we carry out training
72. Adapt how you present data
73. Adapt how you give feedback
74. Wrapping up
75. Every neurodivergent individual is different
76. Adapting how we work will lead to our teams working in a more inclusive way
77. Through having empathy, we can help our colleagues be at their best
78. Prioritise the needs of the few rather than the convenience of the many
79. Further resources at: jonathan fi eld.ing/leaddev