Talk description:

* Disclaimer - okay the title is clickbait, but now that I have your attention...*

In a parallel universe, many lightyears away, Norman is a Neurotypical person living in a world where Neurodivergent people form the majority and are considered the "norm". Join Norman on his journey through a society that views his Neurotypical brain as "disordered", giving a different but empathetic perspective on the challenges that neurodivergent people face in our universe today. Through pretty weird and light-hearted humour, this talk will challenge perceptions and highlight how empathy can reduce shame and help us close the divide.

Bio:

Parul began her career in tech recruitment, and it was during this time she got her ADHD diagnosis; her Autism diagnosis followed a few years later. Parul started neurodiversity advocacy work in her last tech corporate job before quitting in January to devote 100% of her time to achieving her mission to build a brighter future for Neurodivergent people in tech.

Parul loves connecting people and building inclusive and meaningful communities. She has been heavily involved in the Manchester tech community since early in her career; co-organising Manc Web Meetup, organising TechRiseMCR and sitting on the board of Manchester Tech Festival.

Outside of work you'll either find her playing on her Nintendo Switch, playing piano, eating or at the gym.

Comments

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Very interesting and relatable.

Jamie Tanna at 16:13 on 12 Oct 2024

Parul's talk was incredible - her humour and reflection on her experiences of life as a neurodivergent person, through the lense of "what if neurotypicals were the weird ones" was really quite powerful.

I spent the talk very eagerly nodding along and laughing - a little distractedly - at her incredibly relatable take on the role reversal, and bangers like "Norman received feedback [that his colleagues felt weird about him because] he couldn't fidget".

I'm biased as someone who is neurodivergent myself, so related much more heavily to the talk, but feel that non-neurodivergent people in the audience could also understand the parallels.

I was very strongly reminded - in a great way - of Rachel Morgan-Trimmer's talk from OggCamp 2019 (https://joind.in/event/oggcamp-19/the-power-of-change---learning-to-live-as-a-weirdo) which was also a really powerful insight into life as a neurodivergent person, and I really enjoyed Parul's empathy-driven talk.

I especially loved the ending call to action, asking us all to consider what steps we could take to understand others in our life better.

My only complaint was that I wish the talk was recorded!

Caroline Lee at 10:08 on 13 Oct 2024

Great talk.
Insightful and well delivered.

A really relatable talk! I enjoyed it.

Andrew Howe at 21:29 on 15 Oct 2024

This talk was excellent. A very well thought-out and put together talk, with strong and clear messages delivered in an engaging and thought-provoking way! The "flipping the world on its head" concept conveyed the ideas really well.