Welcome to Marjo's Blog: Code, Health, and the Neurodivergent Mind

Looking for practical insights on software development, living with autoimmune conditions, or understanding neurodivergence? You're in the right place.

Who's Marjo?

I'm Marjo, a South African software developer based in the Netherlands. In early 2025 I discovered I'm neurodivergent, and that discovery reshaped how I understand myself and the world around me. This blog is where I write about the topics that shape my daily life: building quality software, managing chronic health conditions, and making sense of the neurodivergent mind. Everything here comes from personal experience and genuine curiosity.

What You'll Find Here

I write about three main areas, along with whatever else catches my attention:

• Software Development: PHP best practices, Go, JavaScript, mutation testing, and code quality. Practical guides for working developers.
• Neurodivergence: Autism, AuDHD, alexithymia, monotropism, empathy, and relationships. Understanding how neurodivergent minds work.
• Health: Managing Hashimoto's and diabetes together, dust mite allergies, and the intersection of autoimmune conditions.
• And More: Family history research, DNA testing for adoptees, AI safety, and what the longest-running study on happiness tells us about a good life.

Why This Blog?

Because the best writing comes from lived experience. Whether I'm explaining PHP mutation testing or how alexithymia affects emotional processing, I write about what I know and what I'm learning. No generic advice, just honest exploration of the topics that matter to me.

Browse Around

Every article aims to be thorough and practical. Pick a topic that interests you and start reading.