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

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

Sensory needs, attention patterns, and mental health accommodations are as unique as fingerprints. We have to stop using band-aids that standardize accommodations.

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.

In this post, I will share our story and explore how neurodiverse families like ours are driving innovation and advocacy in the neurodivergent community (and beyond). By highlighting the challenges we face and the lessons we've learned, I hope to inspire others to join us in creating a more inclusive and supportive world for neurodivergent individuals.