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

TL;DR

This study develops a socio-technical grounded theory on how cognitive dysfunctions in neurodivergent software engineers influence their performance and explores inclusive practices to support their contributions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel socio-technical grounded theory based on interviews and surveys, highlighting how accommodations can mitigate cognitive challenges in software engineering.

Findings

Neurodivergent cognitive dysfunctions impact software development performance.

Accommodations and individual journeys help regulate cognitive effects.

Inclusive Agile practices support neurodivergent employees effectively.

Abstract

The concept of neurodiversity, encompassing 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. Within the software development industry, known for its emphasis on innovation, 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 conclude our paper with a list of inclusive Agile practices, allowing organizations to better support neurodivergent employees and fully leverage their capabilities.