00:00:00
Next up, we have Heidi Waterhouse. She lives in Minnesota with her wife, two kids, and three cats. Heidi worked as a technical writer for over twenty years before transitioning into a developer advocacy role, which she describes as encompassing all the best parts of her previous job. Today, Heidi is a low-key disability advocate, and she's going to discuss neurodivergence, particularly ADD, for which she received a diagnosis as an adult.
00:00:14
Hi, I'm Heidi. I'm here to talk to you about neurodivergence and how it can affect your team. I'm really excited to be here. You'll have questions, and while I won't be able to answer them during my talk, I promise you'll be able to find me afterward.
00:00:35
I have ADD, and so can you! I can't tell you when I first realized that not everyone could read for hours on end, but I can share the first time I understood that not everyone thinks the way I do, and that my way of thinking was considered wrong. I was in second grade, sitting across from my mother at the kitchen table while trying to complete math worksheets. Every time she caught me staring off into space or being distracted, she would take a chocolate chip from the pile in front of us. At that moment, I understood that something about how I worked was different—and perhaps wrong.
00:01:11
I thought that if I tried hard enough, I could be a good student and focus better. We joke about writing papers at the last minute and only working under deadlines, which seemed normal to me. I believed I could only accomplish tasks if they were urgent situations that felt like existential threats. So I want to address something up front: your problem isn't that you're incapable of managing yourself. It's more complex than that.
00:02:22
Neither you nor I are doctors, and only a professional can diagnose things like ADD, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorders. You can't just proclaim, 'Oh, I'm so OCD' without a doctor's validation. However, you can acknowledge that you possess traits that make work challenging. The specifics of a diagnosis can help with accommodation and medication, but what truly matters is how we treat each other as humans.
00:02:58
As someone who is neurodivergent and has ADD, I don’t identify with all variants of ADHD as I don't exhibit the hyperactive behaviors associated with some forms. ADD expresses differently, particularly in women or those socialized as women, compared to how it manifests in men. This is a complex topic, but when your child experiences difficulties in school and you fill out forms, you might recognize traits that feel all too familiar to you. Often, parents come to their doctors with concerns about their child, only to discover they have similar challenges.
00:04:05
Dealing with the result of becoming aware that you bear these traits can be daunting. I faced this reckoning after being fired from three jobs, essentially for not living up to my potential. I can only work effectively under urgent deadlines, which has led to significant frustration. It’s completely valid to feel angry about these experiences. Receiving an adult diagnosis of neurodivergence is deeply emotional, as you realize that the issues you’ve blamed yourself for may not be your fault at all.
00:06:12
How many of you have received comments on your report card noting that you weren’t working up to your potential or needed to apply yourself more? Many of us have faced similar remarks in our early experiences. This experience brings a unique struggle, and when we fail to meet societal expectations regarding time and organization, it can lead to job loss and ruined relationships.
00:07:00
We all have different brains and they function in varied ways, but when there’s a mismatch between how our brains operate and societal expectations, that's where we find disorder. Difficulty managing social expectations like professionalism and completing tasks to a traditional checklist often leads to additional challenges. For instance, filling out time cards can become so overwhelming that I even avoided paying my bills due to anxiety about the situation. It was hard—I couldn't fulfill these basic expectations, which has impacted my self-perception as a competent adult.
00:08:22
Adulting can be complicated and typically involves tracking details, making phone calls, and managing expectations—tasks I often face difficulty with due to my neurodivergence. I know many people share these struggles. Unfortunately, the stakes are higher for those with ADD when societal labels are involved, as they can improperly shape our self-image. This distractibility can lead to a sense of guilt and misinformation.
00:09:30
Imposter syndrome often intertwines with these feelings. It can create an environment where you're constantly aware of feeling inadequate while others may seem effortlessly successful. This perception can heighten anxiety over starting projects, as those of us with ADD can see every step involved, making the task feel paralyzing. We measure our effort against an internal standard that feels daunting, leading to stagnation.
00:11:05
ADD frequently coexists with rejection sensitive dysphoria, which describes how we respond to perceived criticism. If you’ve ever seen someone get upset while pairing on a project, this can be an example of the emotional weight associated with receiving feedback. Navigating this in a professional setting can be difficult. As a parent or manager, it’s crucial to understand and help those around you learn how to cope.
00:12:25
We have two mindsets while learning: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. A fixed mindset might label someone as ‘smart,’ but if they struggle, it can shatter their self-perception. Conversely, a growth mindset encourages the recognition of effort and improvement rather than a singular measure of success. We are all susceptible to the societal pressures of performing, which complicates our reality of neurodivergence.
00:13:30
Neurodivergence isn't binary; it can fluctuate depending on circumstances. Some aspects of everyday life intersect better with our neurodivergent traits, while external stresses can upend our ability to function effectively. Despite all challenges, we must not view ourselves as less than others because of a diagnosis. In fact, all neurodivergences hold equal potential for both positive and negative traits.
00:14:45
When creating diverse teams, it's essential to avoid hiring based solely on shared experiences or backgrounds. Each person's unique perspective can enhance the team dynamic, as those who come from different professional paths may bring valuable skills. In technological settings, it’s easy to hire like-minded individuals, which risks the creation of a homogenous environment.
00:15:59
Neurodivergences should never excuse harmful behavior towards others. It’s not okay to be unkind or dismissive, irrespective of challenges someone faces. Individuals who shun responsibility for their actions rarely address their interpersonal skills and expect others to accommodate them due to their diagnosis, which can lead to toxic situations.
00:17:30
Building a nurturing work environment requires an understanding of diverse needs while fostering open conversation around personal limitations. If you find that your position is incompatible with your mental structure, consider addressing your needs directly. It's acceptable to request adjustments without disclosing a medical history, focusing instead on mitigating any limiting behaviors.
00:18:33
When requesting help, present solutions rather than problems. Encourage collaboration amongst team members and promote inclusivity. Moreover, adopt practices that support mental well-being, such as structured work environments that maintain clarity on responsibilities. Using practical tools to manage stress and workflow can help provide structure and improve job satisfaction.
00:20:16
Incorporating personal strategies like minimizing distractions can help you maintain focus. Setting clear boundaries around habitual interruptions and cultivating a positive atmosphere for productivity is critical. Remember to reward progress with motivation and affirm positive behaviors; appreciation must align with individual preferences to be effective. Ultimately, it's valid to seek help and embrace the diverse needs of your community while working towards a fulfilling experience in your professional journey.
00:23:00
I'm out of time, but I’ll make this slide deck accessible online after my talk. You're welcome to approach me for further discussion. As a quick summary, neurodivergence presents opportunities—let's embrace them. Thank you for your attention!
