In February 2024, Tech Talent Charter, the UK’s leading non-profit for diversity in tech, published its “Diversity in Tech” report. The report revealed that 3% of tech employees are neurodivergent, according to employers. However, a direct survey of employees found that 53% of respondents identify as having a neurodivergent condition, with ADHD (15%) being one of the most prevalent conditions.
Diagnosed with ADHD in 2021, I feared the diagnosis would be a setback in my design career, but I soon discovered that my neurodivergence was not a limitation—it was a superpower. By embracing it, I gained clarity on my needs, strengths, and approach to design. My personal experience revealed an important truth: neurodivergence can be a catalyst for innovation and improved processes in design.
In this talk, I’ll share the G.R.I.T. framework, a structured approach designed to empower neurodivergent designers and their teams. This framework helps individuals unlock their unique strengths and fosters more equitable design practices by embracing diversity in thinking and problem-solving.
The sentiment can be summarized by Morten Petterøe’s incredible article titled “[The ADHD Superpower: Channeling Hyperfocus in the Tech World](https://medium.com/@petteroe/the-adhd-superpower-channeling-hyperfocus-in-the-tech-world-eb4130ee645c#:~:text=And in the tech industry,been both challenging and rewarding.)”
“What I’ve learned is that understanding oneself early on can save a lot of stress and heartache. And in the tech industry, ADHD can indeed be a superpower. The field’s nature — with its mix of deep, focused work and periods of lighter, creative brainstorming — aligns well with the ADHD brain.”
I was 30 years old when I was diagnosed with ADHD.
Getting a “later in life” diagnosis led me to a mountain of grief. I grieved my past self, the potential I felt I hadn’t reached, and all the things I could have accomplished if I hadn’t spent years being told I was “lazy,” “stupid,” or “lacked self-control.”
With 14 years in the tech industry and 9.5 years dedicated to design, I’ve built a deep understanding of the design process, leadership, and the role of communication in product success. Diagnosed with ADHD in 2021, I initially feared the diagnosis might hinder my career, as I recognized I couldn’t keep “masking” behaviors that had previously caused misunderstandings and negative perceptions. Through focused bi-weekly therapy and self-reflection, I’ve reframed my neurodivergent traits as key strengths in my work.
As an active participant in design communities and a mentor in LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent-focused spaces, I bring real-world, practical experience to the table. I’ve successfully applied these principles to my work, empowering myself and others to harness neurodivergence as a tool for success, innovation, and equitable design processes.
I believe we can harness the power of neurodiverse traits, taking the pieces of ourselves we were made to feel ashamed of and repurposing them into our unique superpowers.