# Is Neurodivergent common in software testing field? **URL:** \ **Category:** Discussions\ **Tags:** learning, career-development\ **Created:** [6 January 2024 10:59 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132 "2024-01-06T10:59:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![avenger12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@avenger12](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/avenger12)\ **Post date:** [6 January 2024 10:59 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/1 "2024-01-06T10:59:59Z")
I have an autism diagnosis from roughly two years ago and it’s possible I have adhd as well. Yesterday I watched the video about adhd on this platform and found it interesting. Interesting understanding how our neurodiversity can give us certain strengths or abilities when it comes to testing. ---
**Author:** ![rosie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/club.ministryoftesting.com/rosie/32/7719_2.png) [@rosie](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/rosie)\ **Post date:** [6 January 2024 14:15 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/2 "2024-01-06T14:15:20Z")
I think it’s more common than we realise especially as many people get diagnosed later in life, even more so as women are hugely underdiagnosed compared to men. I got my AuDHD (Autism + ADHD), diagnosis 18 months ago and I’m in my mid forties. ---
**Author:** ![avenger12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@avenger12](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/avenger12)\ **Post date:** [6 January 2024 15:33 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/3 "2024-01-06T15:33:13Z")
That’s definitely true. I was 31 years old when I was diagnosed. I guess it’s more common than people think. Maybe I was good at masking the traits but I’m sure a few people must have noticed it. What would you say are your autism and adhd strengths when it comes to testing? ---
**Author:** ![rosie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/club.ministryoftesting.com/rosie/32/7719_2.png) [@rosie](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/rosie)\ **Post date:** [6 January 2024 16:01 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/4 "2024-01-06T16:01:30Z")
I like to do things right and well, and I guess that very much aligns with testing? I can’t bear not doing a good job on something. 😃 I do think we also have different views on things, or hyperfocusing can lead us to places that others may not consider. ---
**Author:** ![jesper](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/club.ministryoftesting.com/jesper/32/8341_2.png) [@jesper](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/jesper)\ **Post date:** [7 January 2024 13:19 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/5 "2024-01-07T13:19:34Z")
Some say the attention to detail and pattern matching is what makes us good testers. [https://specialisterne.com/](https://specialisterne.com/) (among other similar companies) makes it possible for many to apply their autistic skills for an IT job. We are also very different - many have an obsession with details - but I’m not very good at it. I’ve had my diagnosis for 10 years and my autism way before that. What I use most is structure and detecting trends and patterns. Neurodivergent people have been part of the IT business since the start. In this article, I mention an article from the Wired from 2001. … > **[We Have Been Here All Along](https://jlottosen.wordpress.com/2023/04/04/we-have-been-here-all-along/)** > > Neurodiverse people have been here all along – when you look for it. ---
**Author:** ![simon\_tomes](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/club.ministryoftesting.com/simon_tomes/32/14009_2.png) [@simon\_tomes](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/simon_tomes)\ **Post date:** [8 January 2024 15:35 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/6 "2024-01-08T15:35:50Z")
Thank you for sharing and for asking, @avenger12. It’s great you’re here. Am I right in assuming it was @karentestsstuff’s powerful talk? > **[ADHD and Me: How Neurodivergence Boosts My Testing](https://www.ministryoftesting.com/testbash-sessions/adhd-and-me-how-neurodivergence-boosts-my-testing?s_id=17180363)** > > Brains are weird, neat, squishy things. There are some follow-up questions/answers and resources on this topic post: > [@TestBash Spring 2023 - ADHD and Me: How Neurodivergence Boosts My Testing - Karen Todd](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/testbash-spring-2023-adhd-and-me-how-neurodivergence-boosts-my-testing-karen-todd/65954/2?s_id=17180343): > > Questions Answered Live@jenbauer - How do you “feel out” within a work team (leaders) who can be trusted about our mental challenges? Do you have any helpful topics that you start with? @fullsnacktester - For any of us watching, who might be able to relate but have no diagnosis, is there a safe way for us to get support? Questions Not Answered Live Anonymous - Any good advice how to make the company see that not only tolerance for skin color or gender is tolerance, people with superpowers a… ---
**Author:** ![avenger12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@avenger12](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/avenger12)\ **Post date:** [8 January 2024 15:52 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/7 "2024-01-08T15:52:33Z")
@simon_tomes I had a watch of the adhd and me video. It was very interesting watching it and understanding the strengths of adhd when it comes to testing. Cool I’ll have a look at the testbash link. ---
**Author:** ![karentestsstuff](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/club.ministryoftesting.com/karentestsstuff/32/12365_2.png) [@karentestsstuff](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/karentestsstuff)\ **Post date:** [8 January 2024 16:14 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/8 "2024-01-08T16:14:50Z")
Oh friend - you have reminded me that I never finished answering these questions. I’m so happy you brought this back to mind for me! If anyone else has questions, please add them. I will work on the very delayed responses soon. Also, there is an updated version of this talk with added practical application examples on my YouTube channel here: [https://youtu.be/yPZ4x57BDYQ?si=hf9SSeSuLR3pwQIU](https://youtu.be/yPZ4x57BDYQ?si=hf9SSeSuLR3pwQIU) ---
**Author:** ![karentestsstuff](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/club.ministryoftesting.com/karentestsstuff/32/12365_2.png) [@karentestsstuff](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/karentestsstuff)\ **Post date:** [8 January 2024 16:18 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/9 "2024-01-08T16:18:54Z")
Welcome, fellow neuro-spicy friend 🥰 I’m so glad you found the video intriguing - I hope it prompted some cool self-exploration for you. And honestly, it’s not just for us (neurodivergent type people). It’s an idea for anyone to consider any of your habits or processes applicable to so many situations. Transferable skills RULE! Don’t reinvent the wheel, look at what you have currently available to you. You’ve lived this life until now, use what you’ve learned along the way ❤ ---
**Author:** ![avenger12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@avenger12](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/avenger12)\ **Post date:** [9 January 2024 08:56 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/10 "2024-01-09T08:56:29Z")
@karentestsstuff What do you think makes a work environment friendly for a neurodivergent person? ---
**Author:** ![kristof](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/club.ministryoftesting.com/kristof/32/10839_2.png) [@kristof](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/kristof)\ **Post date:** [9 January 2024 09:59 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/11 "2024-01-09T09:59:17Z")
> [@avenger12](#): > > What do you think makes a work environment friendly for a neurodivergent person? It depends on the person (on their sensory overload), some can’t handle bright light or some noise. For others it’s having no people around and work in a cubical. So there is not really a main way of work environment that is “perfect” for all. ---
**Author:** ![kristof](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/club.ministryoftesting.com/kristof/32/10839_2.png) [@kristof](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/kristof)\ **Post date:** [9 January 2024 10:19 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/12 "2024-01-09T10:19:33Z")
> [@avenger12](#): > > I have an autism diagnosis from roughly two years ago and it’s possible I have adhd as well. > > Yesterday I watched the video about adhd on this platform and found it interesting. > > Interesting understanding how our neurodiversity can give us certain strengths or abilities when it comes to testing. Damn right it does, at least for me… Every since I was young I was intrigued by breaking things down to see how they work. So around the age of 14-15, I started testing for bugs & security issues in websites & video games then… eventually software. For me, testing is my passion and obsession, probably why I do it or learn about it 12-16 hours a day & whenever I can in weekends 😛 > [@rosie](#): > > I do think we also have different views on things, or hyperfocusing can lead us to places that others may not consider. I totally agree! But sometimes you can dwell for hours without realizing all that time has passed. ---
**Author:** ![karentestsstuff](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/club.ministryoftesting.com/karentestsstuff/32/12365_2.png) [@karentestsstuff](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/u/karentestsstuff)\ **Post date:** [9 January 2024 15:15 UTC](https://club.ministryoftesting.com/t/is-neurodivergent-common-in-software-testing-field/73132/13 "2024-01-09T15:15:12Z")
As @kristof noted, there’s not really a one-size fits-all. Unfortunately, we are left to be our own advocates a lot of the time. So having the skills to look inside yourself and pinpoint your needs, and then communicate them to others, is very important (and exhausting sometimes, I’m sorry to say). What is right for you might be a horror for someone else with different needs. Happy to chat with you directly, if you’d like some advice on communication strategies specific to your situation ❤