Hi, we’re Rob and Steve, members of Essent’s newly formed Neurodiversity Community of Interest. In this blog post, we’d like to share a bit about our journeys as neurodivergent individuals in the world of IT: the lessons we’ve learned, the changes we’d love to see, and the experiences that have shaped us along the way. 

Before diving in, let’s take a moment to define what neurodiversity means. Simply put, neurodiversity refers to the natural variations in how people experience and interact with the world. These differences are often associated with conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but it’s important to view neurodiversity holistically. We all process the world in our own unique ways, and embracing those differences can lead to a richer, more inclusive world.

STEVE'S STORY: A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

Hi, I’m Steve, and I’d like to start by sharing a bit of my story. 

As a Scrum Master at Essent for the past 1.5 years, I’ve come to deeply appreciate how much the company prioritizes and values its people. 

When I first heard about a neurodiversity-focused community forming at Essent, my initial reaction was apprehension. I worried it might not go anywhere or, worse, be counterproductive. But, what is a better way to ease that anxiety than by getting involved? 

Right from the start, I felt a sense of relief. The people I met were diverse, open-minded, and genuinely committed to making Essent a better place for everyone. This wasn’t just a surface-level initiative, it was a real opportunity to create understanding and positive change. 

WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE

As someone with firsthand experience navigating neurodiversity in the workplace, I’ve seen both good and bad examples of inclusion. My background gives me a strong sense of empathy, particularly for those who struggle simply because of who they are. Joining this community has allowed me to channel that empathy into actionable support, using my personal experiences to advocate for meaningful change. 

A BROADER PERSPECTIVE

From a young age I’ve always had tendencies towards depression, my behavioral patterns didn’t help, and a turbulent childhood paired with some abuse have made it difficult to see the light at times. Clinically I’m diagnosed with chronic depression and social anxiety, but what that means is different for everyone. 

In my case it means there are times where I can’t bring myself to clean the house, do the dishes or take care of myself but most of the time there’s nothing noticeable going on and I just live my life but with a bit of “random” sadness mixed in there. On the anxiety side it also has its ups and downs. 

For the most part, I can deal with social situations pretty well, but, other times, I have trouble looking someone in the eyes or I get really self-aware out of nowhere. These things probably sound familiar to a lot of people but that doesn’t mean you necessarily have clinical depression or anxiety.  

We can all be sad or anxious at times or as a result of something that has happened recently. When talking about clinical depression and/or anxiety, the feelings of anxiety or sadness usually don't have a direct cause. It’s just always there and sometimes it’s easier to deal with than other times and a lot of difference is made by the tools you have available to deal with those kinds of situations. (When I was ready for it) I spent a lot of time in therapy and have tried out several forms of medication to get a better grip on these issues, but I’ve found for myself there is no better substitute than honesty.   

Anxiety and depression can be a downward spiral where you try to hide how bad it’s going to the world around you for fear of judgment or ridicule. But when I shared my experiences with the people around me, I felt better understood and it helped me navigate both my personal and professional life a lot better. 

I also understand not everyone is comfortable talking about their personal issues and some people are maybe not as good at articulating their experiences, and I think it is there that I get to help out the most. In bringing a common understanding and a place where we can learn from each other.  

ROB'S STORY: THE DESK INCIDENT

My story highlights how even seemingly small disruptions can have a big impact on neurodivergent individuals.   

Hi, I’m Rob, a Data Engineer at Essent, where I’ve been working for the past 6 years. 

It was a typical workday. I arrived at the office slightly later than usual due to public transport delays, eager to dive into my tasks. But as I approached my corner desk, I froze. Someone else - a colleague I didn’t know, was sitting there. 

My carefully adjusted chair, my organized desk setup, all of it disrupted. Worse, my team carried on as if nothing was amiss, seemingly oblivious to what I saw as a betrayal. Forced to find another workspace, I spent precious time adjusting to a new desk and dealing with the simmering frustration that took hours to subside. 

This might seem trivial to some, but for me, it was a deeply unsettling experience. My workspace is my sanctuary, carefully tailored to help me function at my best. When that’s disrupted, it feels like an unnecessary obstacle. 

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

Over time, I’ve come to accept that not everyone sees the world the way I do. To many, a desk is just a desk. But for me, and perhaps for others who are neurodivergent, it’s so much more. It’s a safe, predictable space in a world that often feels chaotic. 

And while I’ve grown somewhat used to people just sitting wherever they please, I simply do not comprehend how people can act like this without a second thought. In my mind it’s the height of disrespect to take your own problem, finding an empty seat in this case, and resolving it by merely passing it on to someone else without a single thought about how it might affect them. It should be obvious to anyone that this doesn’t reduce the number of problems in the world and is therefore not a good solution. So then… why do it?    

That’s a genuine question, because like I said, I still don’t understand. And this is hardly the only occurrence, my life is filled with examples like this. Instances where people place great importance on things that I consider frivolous, like greeting other humans and enquiring how their day went, even though any answer other than “good” is not acceptable. And instances where they are unbothered by things that I hold very dear, like having an assigned workplace in a quiet corner or straightforward communication.  

There’s a broader lesson here about how we all prioritize different things. Some value casual small talk or spontaneous changes; I value structure, clear expression and understanding. It’s not about one approach being better than the other—it’s about recognizing and respecting these differences. 

A SHARED VISION 

We don’t claim to represent every neurodivergent individual. Our experiences are just one piece of a much larger puzzle. But through the Neurodiversity Community at Essent, we hope to contribute to a more inclusive culture, one that supports neurodivergent colleagues and fosters greater awareness among everyone else.  

Through this community, we aim to open up conversations about neurodiversity, not just as a concept but as a lived reality. We hope to create a space where people feel safe to share their stories, learn from one another, and advocate for change.  

By embracing our differences, we can build a workplace that works for everyone, a place where understanding and acceptance are the norm, not the exception.  

Thank you for taking the time to read our stories. If any part of this resonates with you, or if you’d like to learn more about our Neurodiversity Community, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can keep the conversation going.