neurodiversity in tech
TRANSCRIPT
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