A Socio-Technical Grounded Theory on the Effect of Cognitive Dysfunctions in the Performance of Software Developers with ADHD and Autism

The concept of neurodiversity, encompassing neurodivergent 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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE/ACM International Conference on Software Engineering: Software Engineering in Society (Online) pp. 1 - 12
Main Authors: Gama, Kiev, Liebel, Grischa, Goulao, Miguel, Lacerda, Aline, Lacerda, Cristiana
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Published: IEEE 27.04.2025
Subjects:
Agile practices
Autism
diversity and inclusion
Industries
Interviews
neurodiversity
Organizations
Problem-solving
Software
Software development management
Software engineering
Solids
Surveys
ISSN:2832-7616
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The concept of neurodiversity, encompassing neurodivergent 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. In the software development industry 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 provide a list of inclusive Agile practices, allowing organizations to better support neurodivergent employees and leverage their capabilities.
ISSN:2832-7616
DOI:10.1109/ICSE-SEIS66351.2025.00006