Blog.

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technology for academic, workplace, and social inclusion, I've discovered why: we're solving the wrong problem with outdated tools th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).

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!

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.

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.

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.