Accommodating Neurodiversity in Tech: A Review of Autism, Dyspraxia, and Other Conditions 

Introduction:

Neurodiversity refers to the diversity of human brains and minds. While often stigmatized or overlooked, neurodiverse individuals can bring unique strengths and perspectives to the tech industry. However, they may also face significant barriers in the workplace due to lack of understanding, accommodations, and support. This paper provides an overview of autism, dyspraxia, and other conditions that are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed, highlighting the importance of creating inclusive workplaces that cater to neurodiverse employees.

Autism:

• Introduction: Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurological condition characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors.

• Occurrence: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 54 children in the United States has ASD. In adults, the prevalence of ASD is estimated to be around 1% (Brugha et al., 2016).

• Research: Research on autism has focused on early diagnosis, interventions, and accommodations in education and employment settings. Some studies have explored the benefits of employing individuals with autism in tech companies, highlighting their attention to detail, analytical skills, and creative thinking (Hill & Frith, 2003).

Dyspraxia:

• Introduction: Dyspraxia is a neurological condition characterized by difficulties with motor planning, coordination, and execution. Individuals with dyspraxia may struggle with tasks that require fine motor skills, such as writing, typing, or using small objects. In a lot of the cases the coordination to provide appropriate facial expressions is also affected

• Occurrence: The prevalence of dyspraxia is estimated to be around 5-10% in children (Polatajko & Cantin, 2006) and 2-4% in adults (Gillberg et al., 2010).

• Research: Research on dyspraxia has focused primarily on its effects on motor skills development in children. There is a need for more research on the impact of dyspraxia on employment outcomes and workplace accommodations.

False Positives from Autism Diagnosis:

• Introduction: Some individuals may be misdiagnosed with autism when they actually have another condition, such as dyspraxia or anxiety disorder.

• Research: A study by Lai et al. (2015) found that 15% of adults diagnosed with ASD had a different diagnosis upon re-evaluation. Another study by Mazefsky et al. (2018) reported that individuals with autism were more likely to have co-occurring anxiety disorders, which may be misattributed to autism symptoms.

• Implications: The findings suggest that there is a need for comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and careful consideration of alternative diagnoses when assessing individuals with suspected autism.