2024/11/21 by Kiev Gama, Grischa Liebel, Gama, Kiev +7
Computer Science · #FOS: Computer and information sciences #Software Engineering (cs.SE) #Software Engineering Techniques and Practices
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2411.13950
openalex publication_date 2024/11/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The concept of neurodiversity, encompassing conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and dyspraxia, challenges traditional views of these neurodevelopmental variations as disorders and instead frames them as natural cognitive differences that contribute to unique ways of thinking and problem-solving. Within the software development industry, known for its emphasis on innovation, there is growing recognition of the value neurodivergent individuals bring to technical teams. Despite this, research on the contributions of neurodivergent individuals in Software Engineering (SE) remains limited. This interdisciplinary Socio-Technical Grounded Theory study addresses this gap by exploring the experiences of neurodivergent software engineers with ASD and ADHD, examining the cognitive and emotional challenges they face in software teams. Based on interviews and a survey with 25 neurodivergent and 5 neurotypical individuals, our theory describes how neurodivergent cognitive dysfunctions affect SE performance, and how the individuals' individual journey and various accommodations can regulate this effect. We conclude our paper with a list of inclusive Agile practices, allowing organizations to better support neurodivergent employees and fully leverage their capabilities.