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Jonathan Fielding / 5th November 2024 / LeadDev
Breaking barriers: Embracing
neurodiversity in tech
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College
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College
Dyspraxia and
Dyslexia
Assessment
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College
Dyspraxia and
Dyslexia
Assessment
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University
College
Dyspraxia and
Dyslexia
Assessment
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Crayon
University
College
Dyspraxia and
Dyslexia
Assessment
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Crayon
jQuery UK
University
College
Dyspraxia and
Dyslexia
Assessment
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Crayon
jQuery UK
University
College
Dyspraxia and
Dyslexia
Assessment
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Crayon
M&M
jQuery UK
London
Ajax Talk
Future Web
Design Talk
University
College
Dyspraxia and
Dyslexia
Assessment
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Beamly
Snyk
RVU
Crayon
M&M
jQuery UK
London
Ajax Talk
Future Web
Design Talk
University
College
Dyspraxia and
Dyslexia
Assessment
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Beamly
Snyk
RVU
Autism
Assessment
Crayon
M&M
jQuery UK
London
Ajax Talk
Future Web
Design Talk
University
College
Dyspraxia and
Dyslexia
Assessment
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Beamly
Snyk
RVU
Autism
Assessment
Crayon
M&M
jQuery UK
London
Ajax Talk
Future Web
Design Talk
University
College
Dyspraxia and
Dyslexia
Assessment
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Beamly
Snyk
RVU
Autism
Assessment
Spendesk
Crayon
M&M
jQuery UK
London
Ajax Talk
Future Web
Design Talk
University
College
Dyspraxia and
Dyslexia
Assessment
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These conditions fall under the umbrella term
of Neurodiversity
☂
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MissLunaRose12 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neurodiversity_Crowd_2.png
So what is neurodiversity?
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MissLunaRose12 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neurodiversity_Crowd_2.png
So what is neurodiversity?
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“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
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When people brains work differently from the
norm they are referred to as neurodivergent
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It is estimated that around 1 in 7 people are
neurodivergent in the general population
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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
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However only
3%
of tech workers disclose it
Source: Tech Talent Charter Diversity in Tech Report 2024
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https://www.voglblakeresearch.com.au/understanding-neurodiversity-the-strengths-challenges-and-support-needs-of-neurodivergent-individuals/
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Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash
Types of Neurodiversity
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Today I am going to be focusing on talking
about 4 common types of neurodivergence
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ADHD
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ADHD
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-de
fi
cit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/symptoms/
Symptoms are categorised into two categories
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Autism
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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
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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
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Autism
Strengths that can come from Autism
Logical and methodical thinking ability
Attention to detail
Passionate for their interests
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Dyslexia
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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
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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
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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
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Developmental Coordination
Disorder (Dyspraxia)
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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
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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)
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Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)
Strengths that can come from Dyspraxia
Creative thinking
Excel at problem solving
Sensitive to the needs of others
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A lot of these conditions can co-exist
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Sometimes the symptoms a neurodivergent
person might be hidden, this is referred to as
masking
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Photo by João Ferrão on Unsplash
Supporting your
neurodivergent colleagues
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1 Provide Psychological Safety
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Provide a space
where they feel safe
to share about
themselves
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Ensure they feel
comfortable with
asking questions
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2 Communication
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Ensure meetings are
clear in their focus
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Adapt communication
to ensure it is clear
and concise
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Support important
communications
in more than one
format
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Assume best intent
in communication
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3 Time management
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Provide a clear routine
and work schedule
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Give clear and concise
instructions for tasks
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Support them to
ambiguity
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Set clear deadlines
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4 Attention and focus
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Ensure there is
adequate spacing
between meetings
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Be mindful of their
focus time
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6 Sensory Sensitivity
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Give people the option
for a personal desk in
the of
fi
ce
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Help them to
avoid sensory
distractions
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6 Information processing
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Adapt how we
carry out training
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Adapt how you
present data
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Adapt how you
give feedback
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Wrapping up
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Every neurodivergent individual is different
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Adapting how we work will lead to our teams
working in a more inclusive way
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Through having empathy, we can help our
colleagues be at their best
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Prioritise the needs of the few rather than the
convenience of the many
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Further resources at: jonathan
fi
eld.ing/leaddev
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