I’m writing this first as a parent. Our daughter, Phoebe (23), lives with autism, ADHD, and epilepsy—and our family’s “wellness journey” has included diagnoses, ER visits, and two craniotomies. So when a workplace pitches “wellness” through a wrist-worn device, I don’t hear a product demo. I hear a promise: Will this actually help real people live and work better—or will it simply measure them more efficiently? Wearable technology is everywhere. From Fitbits counting steps to

I’m writing this first as a parent. Our daughter, Phoebe (23), lives with autism, ADHD, and epilepsy—and our family’s “wellness journey” has included diagnoses, ER visits, and two craniotomies. So when a workplace pitches “wellness” through a wrist-worn device, I don’t hear a product demo. I hear a promise: Will this actually help real people live and work better—or will it simply measure them more efficiently? Wearable technology is everywhere. From Fitbits counting steps to

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).

When Phoebe was 18 months old, our family left a series of appointments armed with new labels—autism, ADHD, intractable epilepsy—but few answers (Ruttenberg, 2025). While people spoke kindly, the subtext felt like a polite apology for a future that hadn’t started yet. My wife Suzy and I sat with two kinds of fear, but looking at Phoebe’s intense gaze and sense of humor, we promised to parent the child we had, not a brochure version of who she was supposed to be.

Parenting a child who doesn't fit the mold can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff—equal parts fear and excitement, with a spectacular view if only the fog lifts. When our daughter Phoebe received her diagnoses of autism, ADHD, and intractable epilepsy at 18 months, a chorus of specialists lined up to deliver a symphony of warnings, caveats, and low expectations. But they missed something vital: this wasn't the start of a tragedy—it was the beginning of our family's rev

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

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.

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.

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!

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