Neurodiversity and Computer Science

Autism infinity symbol Image by Welcome to All ! ツ from Pixabay

Computer Science by all, for all

Neurodiversity can be disabling, especially if the world is designed to make it so. However, neurodiversity can also be a positive and give massive advantages. This is especially so with respect to computer science where the way neurodiverse people think can be exactly what is needed to be an outstanding programmer or computer scientist. Some of the greatest ever computer scientists were and are neurodiverse and so too will those in the future.

See also: Neuroinclusion in STEM which profiles a number of scientists and students (in many subjects) who are neurodiverse.

Neurodiversity and what it takes to be a good programmer

Ribbon made of multicoloured jigsaw pieces

People often suggest neurodiverse people make good computer scientists. So what makes a good programmer? And why might people suggest neurodiverse people are good at it? … (read on)

Designing for autistic people

A futuristic but complex interface: feature bloat

What should you be thinking about when designing for a specific group with specific needs, such as autistic people? Queen Mary students were set this task and on the whole did well. The lessons though are useful when designing any technology, whether apps or gadgets… (read on)

Working in Computer Science: An Autistic Perspective

6 white paper planes going in a straight line, one white one following a wiggly path

Autism is a condition with many challenges, but for some people it presents benefits. This is greatly apparent in the workplace, where autistic people often find it difficult to get along with others (and their boss), and to complete their work. It’s not all negatives though: many find the work in which they thrive, and given the right circumstances and support, an autistic person is able to succeed. We discuss this with autistic teacher Stephen Parry… (read on)

Temple Grandin: The Devil is in the Detail: Lessons from Animal Welfare

Several cows poking their heads through railings to look at the camera.

What can Computer Scientists learn from a remarkable woman and the improvements she made to animal welfare and the meat processing industry? Temple Grandin is an animal scientist – an animal welfare specialist and a remarkable innovator on top. She has extraordinary abilities that allow her to understand animals in ways others can’t … (read on)

More to come (of course)

Find more diverse diversity on our diversity pages here.

CS4FN Issue 29: Diversity

Lots of diverse heads and shoulders moving around in a crowd, multicoloured

Issue 29 of the CS4FN magazine focusses on Diversity will be out later this year. Read the articles online here as well as finding related links .… (Coming Soon)

Diversity Day by Day

Diversity Day by Day over series of entries with image and links for different days in January

We are gradually linking all our diversity stories to the calendar to give links day by day to relevant stories and people of all backgrounds. It is also helping us find new stories. (To see what we have filled in so far…Read on).

This blog is funded by EPSRC on grant EP/W033615/1.