PUNK SOCIETY / LINUX BRAINS IN A WINDOWS WORLD
This section distils the shared reference on what neurodiversity means, the labels people use, and the traits we see in research and lived experience. Use it to brief teams before we publish the full research drop.
Neurodiversity describes the natural variance in how brains handle information, emotion, and sensory input. Some brains line up nicely with how services are built (neurotypical); others diverge (neurodivergent) through ADHD, autism, dyslexia, Tourette’s, and more. We’re not pathologising—we’re mapping patterns so systems flex for every kind of wiring.
We are not medical professionals. Everything here paraphrases lived experience plus guidance from organisations like the National Autistic Society and NHS. Always consult qualified clinicians for diagnosis or treatment advice and review the authoritative source list before publishing new claims.
Trait clusters help us describe friction precisely (e.g., “time blindness” vs “missed reminder”). When a service fails, we tag the cluster so remediation plans tackle the root cause, not just the surface bug.
| Cluster | What it covers | Frequent friction |
|---|---|---|
| Executive function | Planning, task initiation, working memory. | Multi-step portals, inflexible deadlines, forms that time out. |
| Sensory processing | How brains handle light, sound, touch, motion. | Noisy call centres, flashing UI, fluorescent waiting rooms. |
| Communication & social | Literal vs implied meaning, pragmatic language, tone parsing. | Vague letters, phone-only support, “call us now” threats. |
| Motor / coordination | Fine/gross motor planning, sequencing, fatigue. | Handwritten forms, signature loops, click-precision UI. |
| Language & learning | Reading, writing, number processing. | Dense PDFs, maths-heavy auth codes, jargon-first scripts. |
| Emotional regulation | Intensity, recovery time, interoception. | Threat-based notices, shame-first policies, instant penalties. |
| Time perception | Time blindness, object permanence, sequencing. | Short expiry OTPs, “call back within 10 minutes”, rigid schedules. |
Trait references draw from sources like Autistica, CHADD, British Dyslexia Association, and the other entries listed in the research folder.
Use this table when writing briefs or audits. It summarises the traits we see most often, the strengths that deserve airtime, and the common failure modes. Each row links to an authoritative source so readers can go deeper.
| Neurotype | Headline traits | Frequent strengths | Friction triggers | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADHD | Time blindness, working-memory volatility, rejection sensitivity. | Rapid problem solving, pattern spotting, creativity under pressure. | Multi-step bureaucracy, punitive lateness, short-lived OTPs. | NHS, CDC |
| Autistic | Sensory sensitivity, monotropism, communication differences. | Systems thinking, detail fidelity, honesty. | Ambiguous wording, surprise changes, hostile sensory environments. | National Autistic Society |
| Dyspraxic / DCD | Motor planning challenges, sequencing struggles, fatigue. | Creative problem solving, verbal strengths, empathy. | Paper signatures, handwriting-heavy processes, high-precision UI. | Dyspraxia Foundation |
| Dyslexia | Reading/decoding differences, slower text processing. | Visual reasoning, narrative storytelling, big-picture thinking. | Dense PDFs, uppercase copy, jargon-first letters. | British Dyslexia Association |
| Dyscalculia | Number sense challenges, sequencing difficulties. | Empathy, creativity, verbal strengths. | Numeric-heavy authentication, complex tariffs, on-the-spot calculations. | Dyscalculia Network |
| Tourette / tic disorders | Motor/vocal tics, suppression fatigue, co-occurring ADHD/OCD traits. | Improvisation, courage, humour, resilience. | Public-facing queues with scrutiny, “no movement” rules, stigma. | NHS |
| PDA profile | Anxiety-driven demand avoidance, need for autonomy. | Strategic thinking, creativity, rapid scenario mapping. | Coercive scripts, rigid rules, surprise deadlines. | PDA Society |
Authoritative sources
Punk Society tells stories and builds pressure. Diagnosis, treatment, and medical advice belong with qualified professionals. When we tweet, publish a story, or brief a policymaker we always include at least one of these references.
Full citation list lives in
research/authoritative-links.md. Update that file before adding new
references here.
Use the resources directory to point teammates to official organisations, NHS-approved pathways, and neurodivergent creators who blend lived experience with research. Always send readers to the source so advice stays accurate.