About
The ITI Neurodiversity Network exists to foster a supportive and inclusive community for neurodivergent translators and interpreters. We aim to create a safe space for sharing experiences, offering mutual support, and engaging in both professional development and social connection through regular Zoom meetings. Our mission also includes advocating for greater recognition of the unique strengths and perspectives that neurodivergent professionals bring to the language industry, challenging deficit-based narratives, and promoting a more balanced and empowering understanding of neurodiversity.
What are neurodiversity and neurodivergence?
Neurodiversity is term to describe the range of differences in how people’s brains work and the range of behavioural traits that are part of normal variation in the human population. Neurodivergent people behave and think differently from what is considered ‘typical’ behaviour and thinking.
Some of the more widely known neurodivergent conditions are autism (including what used to be classified as Asperger’s), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), dyspraxia and dyslexia.
What we do:
The Neurodiversity Network is a peer-led support group for translators and interpreters who identify as neurodivergent. Since our founding in 2021, the network has grown into a safe and supportive space where members can share experiences, explore how neurodivergence impacts their professional lives, and connect with others who truly understand.
Our discussions cover a wide range of topics: from executive (dys)function, demand avoidance, and working with deadlines, to deeper and sometimes challenging issues such as neurodivergence and addiction. At the same time, we celebrate the many strengths that neurodivergent professionals bring to the language industry, including high cognitive potential, hyperfocus, and hyperlexia.
Because of the sensitive and personal nature of our conversations, we operate as a closed group. Meetings are open to members only. To join, you should either have a formal diagnosis such as ADHD or Autism, or self-identify as neurodivergent. We recognise the barriers many people face in accessing diagnosis, and we welcome self-identified individuals without requiring formal documentation.
If you would like more information on the topic or date of our next meeting, please email [email protected]
Paul Ryan
Coordinator Paul Ryan studied Spanish and Catalan at St Andrews and went on to become a City solicitor, working ultimately on large public-private transactions in a number of industries. After several years as a homemaker, he returned to the world of paid work as a freelance translator thanks to a Master’s in Applied Translation from UEA. He self-diagnosed as autistic at the age of 60, since medically confirmed. With the network, he is keen to share support and solidarity for neurodiverse professionals that was not available to him earlier in his student and working life.
Carola Lange
Deputy Coordinator Carola Lange has been an ITI member since 2016 having left the security of employment in 2015 to embark on a surprisingly successful freelance translation career. This came shortly after her official autism diagnosis at the age of 49. You will find more details of her patchwork career at www.germany66.com.
Silvia Romano
Silvia has a degree in Middle and Near Eastern languages (Turkish and Armenian) and is currently working as a freelance translator from English, Turkish and Portuguese into Italian. She identifies as autistic and ADHDer and loves to translate content related to her passions: neurodiversity, sailing, medicine, technology, and tea trade.
Ali Walker
As an ADHDer who is likely also autistic, Ali has settled into a portfolio career, where she translates from Spanish and Portuguese into English, mainly in finance, law, sustainability and sociolinguistics; does occasional web development work for some long-term clients; and works on genealogical research, alongside supporting neurodivergent family members and trying to remember to rest and relax.