About
The principal aim of the ITI Neurodiversity Network is to be a place where neurodivergent translators and interpreters can come together to discuss common issues and provide mutual support, both through formal CPD and socially.
We also want to raise awareness in the wider language industry of the strengths that neurodivergent professionals can bring to bear, since much of the research and publicity around neurodivergence focuses on the negatives. We think it’s time to change that narrative.
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:
From the inaugural meetings the group has gone on to discuss how our members approach translation processes, and will continue this dialogue with further monthly meetings on topics that include:
- Introversion versus Extroversion within the neurodiverse population
- Features of autistic verbal and non-verbal communication
- Neurodivergence – blessing or curse i.e.:
- Deadlines and demand avoidance
- RSD in the context of professional feedback
- High cognitive potential, hyperlexia, hyperfocus.
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.