S1E5 - Nathan Chung - Women and Neurodivergence in Technology

NeuroSpicy @ Work

In this conversation, Duena Blomstrom interviews Nathan Chung, a passionate advocate for neurodivergent individuals, particularly women in tech. Nathan shares his personal journey of late diagnosis with autism and ADHD, the challenges faced by women in the tech industry, and the stigma surrounding disclosure of neurodivergent conditions. He emphasizes the importance of empathy in advocacy and the need for organizations to adopt best practices for inclusivity. The discussion also touches on the future of remote work, the nonlinear career paths of neurodivergent individuals, and the critical journey of self-acceptance.

Takeaways

• Nathan Chung is a passionate advocate for neurodivergent individuals.
• Late diagnosis of autism and ADHD can lead to self-discovery.
• Women in tech face unique challenges that need addressing.
• The stigma of disclosing neurodivergent conditions is prevalent.
• Remote work is becoming less common, impacting neurodivergent individuals.
• Empathy is essential in advocacy and support for others.
• Organizations need to adopt best practices for neurodiversity.
• Nonlinear career paths are common for neurodivergent individuals.
• Self-acceptance is crucial for acceptance by others.
• Advocacy work can be tiring but is necessary for change.

Titles

• The Journey of Self-Acceptance
• The Fight for Women in Technology

Sound Bites

• "We need more advocates for neurodivergent women."
• "The stigma of disclosure is still very real."
• "Remote work is slowly going away and we must stop that."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Neurodivergence Advocacy

01:50
Personal Journey of Diagnosis

05:11
The Importance of Community and Belonging

08:30
Advocating for Neurodivergent Women in Tech

11:38
Challenges Faced by Women in Tech

16:25
The Impact of Remote Work on Neurodivergent Individuals

19:59
Stigma and Disclosure in the Workplace

23:19
Best Practices for Neurodiversity in Organizations

26:25
The Future of Neurodiversity in Tech

31:20
Courage and Acceptance in Advocacy