Neurodivergent Minds in Software: Friction and Flow at Work

We have a JetBrains single product license that we will be raffling off after the presentation! To win, you must be present during the drawing at the end of the meetup.

Abstract:
Every developer has a “character sheet”—a mix of strengths, quirks, and hidden debuffs. But most work teams are built around one default character, and not everyone fits. In this talk, we’ll look at how neurodivergent traits like literalism, pattern-seeking, and executive function workarounds show up in real engineering work. From a misused SOAP envelope to the hidden cost of ambiguity, we’ll explore how different brains solve problems, hit friction, and build more resilient systems—when the party (your work team on a campaign) learns to play to everyone’s strengths.

Speaker Bio:
Jim Scarborough is a veteran software engineer and systems thinker with over 25 years of experience in open source and enterprise development. He specializes in untangling complexity—whether in code, workflows, or communication between teams. A longtime advocate for clear thinking and collaborative design, Jim brings a practical approach to bridging gaps between product, architecture, and engineering. He’s currently launching a consulting practice focused on helping organizations work smarter by aligning technical execution with human understanding.

Schedule
5:30 - Meet & Eat
6:00 - Announcements, Jobs exchange
6:15 - Presentation
7:15 - JetBrains Product Raffle