When we first discovered the power of co-regulation, it wasn’t in a clinic—it was in our kitchen, with a loud blender and a frazzled morning. A steady hand on the back. Matching breaths. Lowering the lights. No lectures, no “use your words”—just nervous system to nervous system, bringing Phoebe back from the edge (Ruttenberg, 2025).

As AI systems increasingly impact healthcare, hiring, and public safety, hidden risks and biases continue to arise. This article reveals why autistic and neurodivergent professionals bring unmatched skills in pattern recognition, data validation, and ethical oversight that are essential for responsible AI.

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).

Is work stress making hearts race because of real anxiety or is it simply too many meetings, bad lighting, and constant interruptions? The dilemma of distinguishing clinical anxiety from bad environments used to rely on guesswork, but advances in wearable tech and real-time biosignal analytics are transforming how we answer this question (Dao et al., 2024; Lazarou & Exarchos, 2024).

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. An AI image of a cracked marble column (classic U.S....

Fluorescent lights, echoing halls, chemical smells— these trigger meltdowns, anxiety, exclusion (Robertson & Simmons, 2015). For neurodivergent people, it's daily oppression, intersecting with race, class, and gender. Historical oversight: disability rights focused on ramps, ignoring sensory needs (Chapman, 2021).

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.

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).

Picture this: You're designing a car, but instead of asking drivers what they need, you spend decades interviewing mechanics about engine parts. Sounds ridiculous, right? Well, that's essentially what autism research has been doing for years—studying autistic experiences without actually listening to autistic adults.

We've been studying autism all wrong! 🤯 Picture this: You're trying to solve a modern cybercrime... using evidence from the 1950s. Sound ridiculous? Well, that's exactly what autism research has been doing for decades. The Shocking Truth 📊 Only 0.4% of autism research focuses on adults. Let that sink in. We've been trying to understand adult autism challenges by studying kindergarteners. Meanwhile, 90% of autistic adults are out there describing their

These three designs represent the beginning of truly inclusive environmental design. My thesis work provides a foundation for accommodations that transform hostile environments into supportive spaces rather than forcing individuals to adapt to discriminatory conditions.

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...

Just before age two, our daughter Phoebe was diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and epilepsy. Rather than focusing on deficits, we chose to see her neurological differences as unique strengths requiring support, not correction. Over 20 years, we prioritized accommodations, personalized technologies, and inclusive education, enabling Phoebe to thrive academically and socially. Today, she is completing her first year of college, confidently embracing her neurodivergent identity.

This blog post explores why sensory sensitivity matters—not just for neurodivergent individuals but for society as a whole—and offers actionable strategies for creating environments where everyone can thrive.

My journey from music to neuroscience has shown me that the most profound innovations often arise at the intersection of seemingly disparate fields. By embracing this intersectionality and fostering collaboration across disciplines, we can unlock new possibilities for human empowerment and create a brighter future for all.