Experiences and Occupational Self-Efficacy of Neurominorities in Specialty Veterinary Medicine: Challenges, Solutions, and Recommendations for Progress.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the challenges faced by specialists and current residents with neurodevelopmental differences (neurominorities) throughout their careers, including the solutions and accommodations that have worked for them. SUBJECTS STUDIED: 162 specialty veterinarians, 53 current residents. PROCEDURES: An online survey was distributed to neurominority specialists and residents through gatekeeper organizations (specialty colleges). The survey asked respondents to identify challenges they experienced during their veterinary training career and rank how much of an impact their neurominority status had on those challenges. Chi-square tests compared the distribution of challenges between respondents with specific neurotypes. Open-ended questions gathered qualitative information on solutions and accommodations. RESULTS: The most responses came from Emergency and Critical Care (19.07%) and Laboratory Animal Medicine (18.14%). Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was the most common neurotype (73.02%). ADHD was consistently associated with challenges around executive functioning, while autism spectrum conditions (ASC) were more likely to describe challenges with social interactions and masking. Respondents with ADHD were more likely to report an increase in the impact of their neurotype over time. Respondents described that not knowing about their diagnoses earlier presented challenges. Solutions included therapy, medication, self-acceptance, and personalized accommodations. Neurominorities highlighted positive strengths such as empathy, creativity, and attention to detail. Veterinarians in this survey expressed a need for more awareness and acceptance of neurodiversity within the profession. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey support the need for increased awareness and acceptance of neurominorities in veterinary medicine and an understanding of the unique challenges they face during their careers.