Read a portion of the prologue and learn more about the upcoming book here

For years, “sensitivity” in the workplace was seen as a weakness. But emerging science and real-world career stories reveal that being a highly sensitive person (HSP)—what researchers call “Sensory Processing Sensitivity”—is a cognitive asset that can provide distinct career advantages in the right environment (Aron, 2020; Malinakova et al., 2021).

Ever wonder what happens when autistic or neurodivergent adults feel forced to hide their true selves? Masking isn’t just emotionally exhausting—it has real, measurable health impacts that wearable tech is helping to expose.

Despite persistent misconceptions, autism is not a disease, defect, or something that is broken. Rather, it is a neurodevelopmental difference—a unique way of thinking, sensing, and experiencing the world. This fundamental truth is backed by decades of credible scientific research, with leading advocates and researchers emphasizing that neurodivergence like autism is a natural and valuable aspect of human diversity (National Autistic Society, 2023; Davis & Crompton, 2021).

When the gavel falls on scientific funding , the damage ripples through the labs, the clinics, and the lives of neurodivergent...

<5 minute read Copyright © 2018-2025 Dr David P Ruttenberg. All rights reserved. From broken funding to empowered futures—neurodivergent...

<5 minute read Copyright © 2018-2025 Dr David P Ruttenberg. All rights reserved. An illustration of a group of diverse people using a...

Normalization isn't progress—it's erasure. For decades, the medical-industrial complex has profited from labeling neurodivergent traits as disorders, pushing therapies that force autistic, ADHD, and other neurodivergent individuals to mask their authentic selves. Ableism In Disguise inflicts deep psychological harm, from internalized shame to higher rates of anxiety and depression. As a neuroscientist and advocate inspired by my autistic daughter, I see this as systemic viole

AI and wearables promise empowerment but often extract neurodivergent data—sensory patterns, emotional fluctuations—without consent, fueling discriminatory algorithms. As a developer of ethical wearables, I declare this a human rights crisis. Data Sovereignty demands we reclaim control. Neurodivergent data must be sovereign: owned by individuals, not corporations.

Got4titude—a safe, intentional space designed exclusively for fathers raising children with disabilities or complex medical needs.

Sometimes, life throws you curveballs wrapped in inspiration. As a father, neuroscientist, and serial “let’s-try-this!” tinkerer, I’m used to chasing big dreams and bigger questions. But nothing prepared me for the wild, beautiful ride of raising our daughter Phoebe—a brilliant force of nature with her own unique sensory world.

This year, Forbes named Aspiritech to their inaugural Accessibility 100 list, recognizing them among the nation's leading innovators in disability inclusion (Forbes, 2025). Simultaneously, Crain's Chicago Business highlighted the organization as a key player in Chicago's evolution as an accessibility leadership hub, noting how the city continues its legacy from the early days of accessible curb cuts to today's cutting-edge neurodiversity initiatives (West, 2025). But accolade

For decades, romance researchers have studied neurotypical relationships, but what about the estimated 15% of the population who experience love differently due to neurodivergent traits (Ebooks IOS Press, 2024)? Research into sensory processing differences and social experiences has revealed surprising truths about neurodivergent romance—truths that challenge everything we think we know about connection and compatibility.

Despite decades of accommodation laws and corporate diversity initiatives, 85% of college-educated autistic individuals remain unemployed or underemployed (Work Design Magazine, 2025). This stark statistic reveals a fundamental truth: traditional accommodations are failing neurodivergent employees at scale. After years of developing wearable technology for academic, workplace, and social inclusion, I've discovered why: we're solving the wrong problem with outdated tools th

Universities across the globe are investing billions in "smart campus" initiatives, promising enhanced learning experiences through cutting-edge technology and innovative design. Yet research reveals a troubling paradox: these same campuses are systematically creating barriers for about 15% of students—the neurodivergent population (Ebooks IOS Press, 2024).

You're trying to focus on an important presentation at work, but the fluorescent lights are humming like angry wasps, your colleague's perfume feels like it's attacking your nostrils, and that person three cubicles over is clicking their pen with the rhythm of a demented woodpecker. For most people, these might be minor annoyances. For 90% of autistic adults, these everyday sensory experiences can feel like navigating a world designed to overwhelm them.

Welcome to Beyond Barriers! Written by Dr David Ruttenberg, Fulbright Specialist & PhD neuroscientist, breaks down barriers for neurodivergent minds—empowering you to thrive in school, work, and social life. Explore sensory, attention, anxiety, and fatigue solutions with actionable insights for neurodivergent listeners and allies. Let’s innovate inclusion together!

Here's a statistic that stopped me in my tracks: over 66% of teens and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder struggle to obtain driver's licenses. As both a researcher and father of an autistic daughter, this resonates on multiple levels. We're not talking about capability—we're talking about accessibility barriers that traditional driving education simply hasn't addressed.

As a neuroscientist and father of 22-year-old daughter living with autism, ADHD, and epilepsy, I have experienced firsthand how...

The hidden wounds of being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world can run deeper than most people realize. As a neurotypical Dad to a...