Breaking Stereotypes: Neurodiversity in the IT World
My Journey in the IT Industry
Neurodiversity in IT - Having spent nearly 30 years in the IT industry, I’ve met all kinds of people along the way. Some are ultra-techy, some have extreme emotional intelligence, some are the life and soul of the party, while others are a bit more reserved. However, in the outside world, there is that persistent stereotype that IT folks are all geeky introverts who don’t really know how to interact with others. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, and I want to share some of my thoughts and insights.
Why Do We Think This Way?
So, what brings about that perception? I think one reason is that tech does actually tend to attract a lot of neurodivergent individuals. But why is this? If you think about it, it's quite obvious. Technology, unlike people, is built to be predictable and behave in the way it was designed. When it goes wrong, there is always a logical and diagnosable reason for this. Designing and troubleshooting often requires a really in-depth understanding of the technology and how it works.
Neurodivergent people often think in abstract ways, process information differently, and frequently "think outside the box." This means that the world of technology can feel like a natural fit. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that just because you work in IT, you’re automatically neurodivergent or introverted. However, it does seem like there’s a higher ratio of these folks who feel comfortable in this niche. It’s like a magnet for people, and people are naturally drawn to environments where they can thrive.
The Masking Game
In the workplace, neurodivergence can show up in many different ways. Some people might go through life subconsciously masking, changing how they act and what they say to fit in, unaware that their brains operate differently.
Others might know and accept that they’re neurodivergent but choose to keep it close to their chest, masking their true selves as a protection mechanism. Then there are those who are very open about their neurodivergence.
I was definitely the former. I had no idea about my ADHD. I just felt that I had to be like everyone else and fit in. Believe me, masking can be exhausting and confusing, especially if you don't even know you are doing it. I often compare it to having a computer CPU that’s constantly running at 70% capacity, leaving just 30% for everything else.
If you think about it, it’s pretty tough to keep up with everyone else when you’re spreading your energy so thin. So, it’s no wonder that neurotypical folks might misunderstand our behaviours and make assumptions about why some of us may appear unfriendly or overly technical.
My Lightbulb Moment
For me, getting diagnosed with ADHD was a major turning point. It was like a lightbulb was turned on, and suddenly, everything started making sense. Understanding that there is a reason I do certain things and that I am not just weird or broken has really empowered me to stop masking and find ways to be my true self and exploit my traits, rather than hide them away.
This is what some people refer to as a “superpower.” In reality, superpowers are just traits that we learn to exploit. For someone with ADHD, this can mean the ability to hyperfocus and obsess over a problem tirelessly, often leading to creative and innovative solutions. Autism, on the other hand, can bring the ability to memorise and retain vast amounts of information or offer exceptional honesty and reliability. These traits are exactly what you need to work in a fast-paced IT environment.
Raising Awareness
The big takeaway here is that we need to raise awareness and acceptance of neurodivergence in the workplace. When we shift how we perceive people in IT, we help everyone understand how neurodivergent brains work best, and we help colleagues learn how to interact better with each other.
This can lead to better relationships and a workplace that’s more collaborative and less stressful. By breaking the stigma and making small changes in the workplace, we can really encourage those with neurodiverse conditions, such as ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia, or Developmental Coordination Disorder, to thrive and enjoy careers that are less stressful and more fulfilling.
Let’s Start the Conversation
These thoughts are born from my personal experiences working (and breaking) in the IT industry while unknowingly masking my neurodivergence. I know not everyone will agree with my perspective, but I firmly believe that starting a conversation about neurodiversity is an essential step forward.
So, let’s talk about it. The more we understand, the better we can all work together, breaking down barriers and creating a workplace that’s inclusive for everyone.
#neurodiversity #adhd #autism #dyslexia #dyspraxia