Neurodiversity in Tech

@john_chandler

Humans Have DifferentOperating Systems

Embrace Differences

I want people to embrace differences

I want people to see the strengths...

...but understand the challenges

Disclaimer

This has been a difficult talk to do

I am not comfortable taking questions

I am not an expert

I am an outsider

About Me

I teach adaptive snowsports

I regularly work with autistic snowboarders and skiers

My nephew was diagnosed on the autism spectrum last year

I am a proud uncle

Neurodiversity

"...to do for neurologically different people what feminism and gay rights had done..."

Judy Singer

Neurodiversity is facing the same civil rights issues that physical disabilities faced

In This Talk

Autism SpectrumAutism

Asperger Syndrome

Pathological Demand Avoidance

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Not Covered...

Bipolar Disorder

Schizophrenia

Dyslexia

Dyscalculia

Dyspraxia

Anxiety Disorder

...and many, many more

"Not everything that steps out of the line, and is thus 'abnormal', must necessarily be 'inferior'"

Hans Asperger, 1938

Differences from "the norm" are often regarded by society asnegatives not positives

Autism SpectrumQuotient (AQ)

"Autism is a way of being.It is not possible to separatethe person from the autism"

Jim Sinclair

Autism Spectrum

Social interaction or communication difficulties

Repetitive behaviour or narrow interests

Sensory over-/under-sensitivity

AQ is a diagnostic toolof 50 Questions

80% of people onthe spectrum score 30+

Implies Linear Spectrum

"High" vs "Low" Functioning("Mild" vs "Extreme")

https://themighty.com/2016/05/rebecca-burgess-comic-redesigns-the-autism-spectrum/

Flow & Focus

Flow

"In essence, flow is characterizedby complete absorption inwhat one does."

Wikipedia, Flow (Psychology)

ADHD

Inattention

Impulsivity

Hyperactivity

Hyperfocus

"Hyperfocus is an intense form of mental concentration or visualization that focuses consciousness on a subject, topic, or task."

Wikipedia, Hyperfocus

ADHD

Inattention

Impulsivity

Hyperactivity

Hyperfocus

Flow seen as positive

Hyperfocus seen as negative

Huh.

Adults with ADHD score above average for sustained workon urgent tasks

ADHD is also linked to increased learning and flexibility of thought

Socialisation & Communication

"Some guy with Asperger's developed the first stone spear; it wasn't developed by the social ones yakking around the campfire"

Temple Grandin

Autism Spectrum

Social interaction or communication difficulties

Language Delay (Autism)

Good Language Skills (Asperger)

Amateur Radio

First social network?

Morse for non-verbal communication

Voice for verbal communication

Social interaction

Technical systems

Lee Felsenstein

"influence on the technical and social environment of the early personal computing era"

Community Memory BBS (1973)

Homebrew Computer Club (1975)

Osborne-1 (1981)

Lee Felsenstein

"influence on the technical and social environment of the early personal computing era"

Community Memory BBS (1973)

Homebrew Computer Club (1975)

Osborne-1 (1981)

Diagnosed Asperger Syndrome (1990s)

The Internet Era

Early mailing lists and websites (e.g. InLv) leading to Neurodiverse Culture

Social interaction and advocacy

Outlet for niche interests

Outlet for creativity

Pokmon Go

Popular amongst Autistic people

Supports social interaction

Supports social exploration

Structured and Balanced

Detail & Patterns

"I notice patterns in thingsall the time"

AQ Test Question MRC-SBC/SJW February 1998

Systems thinking is stronger in Autistic individuals

"I tend to notice detailsthat others do not"

AQ Test Question MRC-SBC/SJW February 1998

Specificity overridesgenerality

"Can't see the forest for the trees"

"...your mind is a room wheretwenty radios, all tuned todifferent stations, are blaringout voices and music"

Introduction, The Reason I Jump

Too much information!

Strong Local Analysis+Enhanced Perception=Debugging Skills

Companies employing Autistic people for their analytical and debugging skills

"...harnessing the strengths of peoplewith high functioning autism attention to detail, precision, anaffinity for repetitive tasks,outstanding technology skills"

"Our goal is to have 1% of the SAPworkforce represented by peopleon the autism spectrum"

SAP changed their interview process

Embrace and Support Different Human Operating Systems!

Great Minds Do Not Think Alike