Neurodiversity in IT - Advocating for ADHD and Autism in the Workplace

Explore practical advocacy strategies for neurodiversity in IT workplaces through this 45-minute conference talk from JNUC2025. Learn from Roger Herling, an Apple/Jamf Engineer at McGraw Hill Education, who shares over 20 years of personal experience navigating workplace challenges and successes related to ADHD, autism, and other neurological differences. Discover how to understand executive function challenges including task initiation, planning, prioritization, and organization, while addressing emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitive dysphoria in professional contexts. Master the concept of hyperfocus as a superpower for achieving laser focus on high-interest tasks under urgency and stress. Develop self-advocacy skills by learning when, how much, and to whom you should disclose neurodivergent traits, and understand how to request reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Gain insights into creating structured work environments with standard meeting times, clear agendas, and effective communication tools, while exploring the benefits of remote work for reducing sensory overload. Build skills for advocating for neurodivergent colleagues and creating inclusive IT teams through employee resource groups and supportive workplace cultures. The presentation covers natural brain variations versus disorders, personal success and failure stories, formal ADA disclosure processes, and comprehensive strategies for building neurodiversity-friendly workplaces in technology environments.