Alumni
Alumni Team
09 December 2025
“I am autistic and was also diagnosed with ADHD last year.”
Hannah Reading is a Technical Analyst working for a large energy company in London. An FDM Alumni, she shared her unique career journey as a neurodivergent person and showed the incredible value that neurodivergent professionals bring to an organisation.
Discovering FDM
“I’ve always had a passion for tech since I was very young,” Hannah shares. “I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get a job after university because of my neurodivergence.
For Hannah, interviews were always particularly challenging due to her autism. But when she discovered FDM while researching graduate programmes during her final year at university, she found an organisation that saw her potential, not her weaknesses—someone with a genuine passion for technology and an eagerness to learn.
Building skills and confidence
Hannah joined FDM’s Software Engineering Graduate Programme in 2017, where she developed her coding skills over several months. The programme provided her with the fundamental skills she needed to thrive as a software developer.
“I remember feeling a bit out of depth on my first assignment, but I was determined to deliver,” Hannah recalls.
In early 2018, she became an FDM Consultant for her current client, working as an ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) developer as part of their ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) function. Seven years later, Hannah has grown tremendously and now tackles complex projects, including major upgrade work, moving from a classic ERP central component system to S/4 HANA.
Neurodivergence as a strength
Hannah’s neurodivergence has become one of her professional strengths. “When learning new concepts in ABAP, I have always been quick to acquire any new information and apply this knowledge to any future programmes which I create. It helps working with a programming language in plain English that I can understand easily, as I am mostly a ‘black-and-white’ thinker.”
Her contributions have earned significant recognition. Hannah received the Employee of the Month award for organising Neurodiversity Awareness Week, featuring a series of in-person and virtual events designed to raise awareness about what it means to be neurodivergent, as well as for her work on a major upgrade project.
Advocating for change
In 2020, Hannah transitioned from FDM Consultant to a permanent employee with the client. Beyond her technical work, she has become the Neurodiversity Lead for her client’s enABLE network and is an outspoken advocate and educator on workplace inclusion for neurodivergent individuals.
When asked how organisations can better support neurodivergent employees, Hannah offers thoughtful advice: “No two neurodivergent individuals are the same. Companies should be open to more alternative ways of working, as there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to performing your role. Sometimes we may take a little longer to process information, but this does not mean that we are incompetent or incapable.”
She recommends flexible working arrangements, such as hybrid working, to allow for time to decompress and avoid burnout, as well as changes to office layouts to minimise sensory overload. “Don’t be afraid to implement small adjustments if they are requested, no matter the cost, like recording meetings or providing simplified documents and avoid making assumptions.”
The value of mentoring
Hannah credits mentoring as essential to her success. “I think mentoring is definitely essential, especially for those starting out in the corporate world, as you get to learn from those who have faced similar experiences at the start of their career. Personally, I have found mentoring highly useful, as it has helped to boost my confidence and tackle challenges without fearing failure, whilst embracing my true strengths as a developer.”
Staying connected
Hannah has remained engaged with FDM through the Alumni Network, staying in touch with former colleagues through LinkedIn and WhatsApp. “I wanted to share my experiences with other consultants and connect with others with similar career interests,” she explains.
The FDM Alumni Network is a connected community that prioritises career progression through social and networking events, workshops, and career advancement opportunities, a brilliant opportunity for continuous professional development.
Advice for others
For anyone who’s neurodivergent and considering a tech career, Hannah offers encouraging words: “There will be an opportunity out there one day where employers will see your true passion and potential. I also recommend reaching out to companies specialising in recruitment for neurodivergent employees and graduates, as they will be able to understand your needs and work with organisations to ensure that their needs are met throughout the recruitment and onboarding processes.”
She emphasises the importance of requesting accommodations, such as interview questions in advance: “This will help make the process easier and enable companies to see you through a different lens.”
Hannah’s final message is simple but powerful: “I’ve achieved a lot since graduating, and I’d like to say: anyone can do it, really.”
Interested in starting your career in technology? Learn more about FDM’s Practices and how we support diverse talent in launching successful careers in tech.
