Neurodivergent Online Search Strategy

The paper shall explore some methods of promoting the recruitment of neurodivergent candidates in European technology companies. My initial search strategy shall involve conducting online searches. Here, I shall first focus on the exact definition of neurodiversity and its connection to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Therefore the relevant search terms in this research analysis shall be “neurodiversity,” neurotypical,” “autism spectrum disorder,” “Asperger’s,” “high-functioning autism,” “autism in the workplace,” “nerds in tech companies,” “tech community and autism,” “ASD in tech,” and “autism in Europe.” The above search terms shall be used on the Google search engine.

The search limits shall help focus the research to this study’s objective question of concern. They include “Europe,” “tech,” and “autism.” I also limited my research t the past decade, disregarding all the articles before then.

I selected Grandin (2012) as the source of reference in this research study. This is because it most attempts to resolve the objective question accurately. It is the best resource because a neurodivergent individual has written it. However, I realize that the author is American and not European.

I think it is appropriate if an outsider perspective is introduced in promoting neurodiversity in European technology companies. I realize that the author was keen on using the term “neurodivergent” in the place of “autistic” people. This is because autism is perceived as a disorder and thus a bug rather than a feature.

The term “Neurodivergent” recognizes that human beings are prone to be different, including their neurochemistry. Therefore, the author alludes to neurodiversity being a “feature” of humanity rather than a “bug” in some human beings and thus a disorder. Therefore, this would be the most informative source of the six.

This research process has been one of the most eye opening academic activities. I realized a significant difference between neurotypical individuals and their neurodivergent counterparts. This recognizes that neurodiversity is a feature of society. The lack of recognition of the neurodiversity members of the society oppresses them as a group. It denies the rest of society the alternative perspectives and ideas of autistic people.

The most challenging aspect of this research process involves the terminology. Most of the vocabulary was new, which took me some time to be familiar with. For example, I wondered whether there is a difference between neurodiversity and autism. In such a case, the term neurodiverse would be referring to autistic individuals, meaning that it is the opposite of neurotypical. This presents whether neurodiversity is a disorder and thus an abnormality. I was curious whether referring to it as a disorder in my research would be politically incorrect.

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