Neurodiversity, neurodivergence and vet sector

Awareness of neurodiversity and neurodivergence in the veterinary sector is gradually increasing. We are beginning to acknowledge that some people think and process information differently and that they need support rather than exclusion or pressure to conform.

However, significant misinformation still surrounds terminology, the prevalence of neurodivergence in veterinary professions, and even which roles are included when discussing the veterinary sector.

This led me to clarify some key points and conduct my own research to see if additional data exists beyond the RCVS 2024 Survey of Veterinary Professions, RCVS and British Veterinary Chronic Illness Support (BVCIS) reports on disability, and other sources from BVA and BSAVA.

Clarifying terminology

• Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in brain function and behavioural traits across the human population. It includes both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals, as all humans collectively make up a neurodiverse society.
• Neurodivergence describes a variation in cognitive, behavioural and learning processes that differ from what is considered typical or neurotypical.
• Neurodivergent refers to an individual who has been formally or self-diagnosed with one or more neurodevelopmental condition(s), including but not limited to:
  • Autism spectrum disorder/condition (including previously recognised Asperger’s syndrome).
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD).
  • Dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia.
  • Tourette syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), sensory processing disorders, misophonia.
  • Some forms of brain injury.
    This list is not exhaustive, and additional conditions continue to be recognised.

How common is neurodivergence in sector?

Currently, no comprehensive research is available to include all roles within the veterinary sector. Existing surveys from RCVS and BVCIS only collect data from veterinary surgeons, veterinary students, veterinary nurses and veterinary nurse students, excluding a large portion of the workforce, such as support and administrative staff.

The 2024 RCVS Survey of Veterinary Professions reports that 13% of veterinarians identify as neurodivergent, with that figure rising to 20% to 25% among vets below 25. While this may seem like a small percentage, several factors suggest that neurodivergence is far more prevalent than currently reported:

• Limited survey scope. Many key roles in the veterinary sector are not included in these statistics.
• Underdiagnosis in older generations. Those over 40 may not have had access to information about neurodiversity and are less likely to self-identify unless they have a diagnosed family member or colleague. I was diagnosed at 56, only after my daughters were diagnosed.
• Stigma and disclosure barriers. Many individuals hesitate to disclose their neurodivergence due to fears of discrimination. Self-diagnosis is still viewed with skepticism, with some wrongly assuming it is used to seek workplace adjustments for personal gain.
• Lack of awareness without adequate knowledge and support. Neurodivergent individuals may internalise negative stereotypes, believing they are lazy, disorganised or unfit for the profession. As a result, they mask their traits to fit in.
• Workplace culture and employer support. Many believe that disclosing neurodivergence will not result in meaningful workplace accommodations.
• Interestingly, some industries have much higher reported rates of neurodivergent employees. The construction sector, for example, has found that nearly 46% of project professionals identify as neurodivergent, and 96% of them disclose their condition to their employer, as the industry is highly accepting and supportive.

Caring professions like veterinary medicine and health care have not been as thoroughly researched in this regard. A long-standing misconception is that neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism or ADHD, lack empathy. In reality, they often experience heightened sensitivity and deep empathy, which may actually draw them to caring roles.

Historically, accessibility in veterinary professions was extremely limited for neurodivergent individuals due to rigid communication assessment criteria, such as requiring eye contact in interviews. This effectively excluded many who could not mask their traits. It is now well-documented that neurodivergent women tend to mask their traits more effectively than men, which likely contributed to their underdiagnosis.

The shift in veterinary demographics in the past century from a male-dominated profession to a predominantly female one may have inadvertently improved accessibility for neurodivergent women who were able to mask and meet rigid professional expectations that might have excluded neurodivergent men.

Personality traits in veterinary sector versus neurodivergence

Limited research is available on the most common or desirable personality types in veterinary professionals.

However, studies suggest that the most frequently observed Myers-Briggs personality types among veterinarians and veterinary nurses are:

• INFJ (which means introverted, intuitive, feeling, judging.
• ENFJ (extroverted, intuitive, feeling, judging.
• These types indicate:
• Introversion (or extroversion). A preference for inward or outward focus.
• Intuition. A tendency to observe patterns and think abstractly.
• Feeling. A decision-making process influenced by emotions and people’s needs.
• Judging. A preference for structure and firm decision-making.
• Additionally, veterinary professionals are often expected to score high to moderate on the “big five” personality traits:
• Agreeableness (cooperative, compassionate).
• Conscientiousness (organised, responsible).
• Extraversion (outgoing, social).
• Openness (creative, curious).
• Emotional stability (resilience, low neuroticism).

How do neurodivergent individuals compare?

Research on personality traits in neurodivergent individuals is still limited, but here’s what we know:

• Autistic individuals tend to score high in openness, conscientiousness and agreeableness, but lower in extraversion.
• ADHD individuals tend to score higher in neuroticism and lower in extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness than neurotypical controls.
• AuDHD (co-occurring autism and ADHD) has not yet been extensively researched.

Given these findings, it seems highly likely that neurodivergent individuals particularly those with autism and AuDHD are more prevalent in the veterinary industry than current statistics suggest. A more comprehensive study that includes the entire veterinary workforce would be needed to confirm this.

Conclusion

Neurodivergence is likely far more common in the veterinary industry than current data suggests, yet many professionals remain undiagnosed, unsupported or feel pressured to mask their traits. Understanding the true prevalence and experiences of neurodivergent individuals is essential to making the profession more inclusive and ensuring that veterinary workplaces foster an environment where all employees can thrive.

The conversation is just beginning, and more research is needed, but awareness is the first step.

• Published in Vet Times (2025), Volume 55, Issue 29, Page 17-18