ADHD can feel like chaos — a mind racing with ideas, a desk full of cold, half-drunk coffee cups, and a to-do list that’s both overwhelming and strangely invisible. For years, I struggled to stay afloat as a developer, battling hyper-focus, memory issues, and constant distraction. Then I discovered something surprising: the practices that help teams write better code — like Test-Driven Development (TDD), Collaborative Programming, and Discovery Trees — also helped me work with my brain, not against it.
In this talk, I share how ADHD shaped my journey as a developer and how quality coding practices became career-saving coping mechanisms. These tools helped me focus, manage complexity, and collaborate better — all while reducing burnout and improving the code we shipped. Whether you live with ADHD or just want to work smarter in a world full of distractions, you'll walk away with practical techniques and a fresh appreciation for how neurodiversity can be a powerful asset in tech.
### Learning Outcomes
- Understand how ADHD traits such as hyper-focus, memory challenges, and emotional sensitivity affect software development — and how these traits can be turned into strengths with supportive practices.
- Learn how Test-Driven Development (TDD), Mob Programming, and Discovery Trees reduce cognitive load and enhance productivity — especially for neurodivergent developers.
- Discover practical strategies for creating a neurodiversity-friendly team culture that benefits everyone by promoting structure, collaboration, and sustainable work habits.
Meeting Sponsor – RobertHalf
As a leader among IT staffing agencies in Des Moines, Robert Half Technology has the staffing expertise and IT recruiting resources to help you hire highly skilled technical, developer, systems, engineering and IT professionals, even in the competitive Des Moines market.
Visit https://www.roberthalf.com/des-moines/technology-it.
Platinum Sponsor – QCI
Since 1995, QCI has grown to be one of the largest, Iowa-based, technology consulting firms, one client at a time. There is no secret to our success. We simply hire the best people and support a culture that is obsessed with delivering excellent service to our clients. In QCI, our clients have a partner that is large enough to provide highly skilled consultants across a wide area of expertise. Our dedication to client service has resulted in a long-term relationships through which we understand that placing the interests of our clients first is the key to being a trusted partner.
For more information, visit https://www.qci.com
Platinum Sponsor – Source Allies
Source Allies is a local technical consultancy who values collaboration, craftsmanship, and an ownership mentality. We provide a home to our teammates where we encourage each other to grow not only technically, but as peers & consultants. This is evident in the quality software we deliver to clients.
Learn about our “ownership mentality” at: https://www.sourceallies.com
Robert HalfRobert Half is a Gold Level sponsor of the IADNUG.
JetBrainsFree licenses every meeting.
QCIQCI is a Platinum Level sponsor of the IADNUG.
Source AlliesSource Allies is a Platinum Level sponsor of the IADNUG.
Lean TECHniquesLean TECHniques is a Gold Level sponsor of the IADNUG.