Supplement: Exploring the Performance of Autistic Individuals in Software Engineering Activities - A Mixed-Methods Study

Survey Instrument for “Exploring the Performance of Autistic Individuals in Software Engineering Activities - A Mixed-Methods Study” October 24, 2025 1 Survey Instrument Category Id Question Type Demographics Q1 What do you do professionally? Closed (MC) Q2 Did/did you study in the software engineering field? Closed (MC) Q3 What is your gender? Open Q4 How old are you? Closed (MC) Q5 Where are you from? Closed (MC) Q6 Do you have Autism? Closed (MC) Q7 Do you have an Autism diagnosis? Closed (MC) Q8 What type of Autism do you have? Closed (MC) Communication Q01 I often fear offending my colleagues when speaking to them. Verbal anchor Q04 It is easier to use written communication rather than verbal communication. Verbal anchor Q05 I prefer to communicate with others by using written communication rather than verbal communication. Verbal anchor Focus Q03 I often feel I can’t focus after someone interrupts me. Verbal anchor Q16 I often experience hyperfocus when programming. Verbal anchor 1 Q17 I see hyperfocus more as a hindrance than as an advantage. Verbal anchor Teamwork and Collaboration Q06 I have trouble giving feedback about other people’s work. Verbal anchor Q07 I have trouble receiving feedback about my work from other people. Verbal anchor Q15 Receiving feedback is good for me and it makes me feel confident about my work. Verbal anchor Q22 I often feel difficulties understanding other people’s code. Verbal anchor Q25 I have trouble doing pair programming. Verbal anchor Social Skills Q02 I have difficulties reading emotions. Verbal anchor Q08 I have difficulties relating to others and empathizing with my colleagues. Verbal anchor Q09 I don’t interpret facial expressions well. Verbal anchor Stress Management and Coping Q11 If I encounter a problem or a bug in my code, I don’t rest until I can solve it. Verbal anchor Q30 I get stressed when I can’t solve a bug. Verbal anchor Q31 I voluntarily interrupt what I’m doing as a coping mechanism for stress management. Verbal anchor Code Reviews and Programming Skills Q10 I have very strong problemsolving capabilities. Verbal anchor Q12 I have a very easy time memorizing code. Verbal anchor Q13 I usually find the solution first then my peers. Verbal anchor Individual Traits and Preferences Q14 I need constant validation of my work. Verbal anchor Q26 I pay close attention to detail. Verbal anchor Q27 I feel comfortable working with AI tools. Verbal anchor Q28 I am a perfectionist. Verbal anchor Challenges in Programming and Code Reviews Q18 I have trouble using different IDEs. Verbal anchor 2 Q19 I have difficulties learning new programming languages. Verbal anchor Q20 I have trouble adapting to new tools and software. Verbal anchor Q21 I often get feelings of anxiety when the code is not formatted in a certain way. Verbal anchor Work Environment Q23 I prefer remote work rather than in person. Verbal anchor Q24 I get too distracted in the office. Verbal anchor Q34 I feel included in the company that I work in. Verbal anchor Autism Awareness and Inclusion Q29 I feel there is a lack of autism awareness in my team in the company that I work in. Verbal anchor Comments Q32 Comments are very important. Verbal anchor Q33 I have difficulties commenting on the code. Verbal anchor Table 1: Survey Instrument 3