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Funding Cuts and the Neurodivergent Fight for Equity: Radical Reforms in Education, Work, and Society

<5 minute read

Copyright © 2018-2025 Dr David P Ruttenberg. All rights reserved.


From broken funding to empowered futures—neurodivergent voices rising for equity in education, work, and society.
From broken funding to empowered futures—neurodivergent voices rising for equity in education, work, and society.

The Supreme Court's green light for the Trump administration's $2 billion NIH grant purge is a clarion call for neurodivergent advocates: Our progress is under siege, and complacency is not an option (Sneed, 2025; Zdechlik, 2025). Drawing from my expertise in AI ethics and assistive technologies for sensory sensitivity and mental health, this decision—rooted in ideological disdain for DEI and related research—threatens to unravel decades of advancements that support neurodivergent success in higher education, employment, and social spheres (Sneed, 2025; Zdechlik, 2025). Let's interrogate the fallout with bold, evidence-based analysis, proposing radical yet feasible reforms grounded in neurodiversity's biopsychosocial framework (Szulc et al., 2021).


Cutting these funds exacerbates inequities, ignoring the neuro-neutral state's imperative to treat cognitive differences equitably (Chapman & Kurlin, 2024).

At its core, the ruling permits the termination of grants without adequate recourse, as challenges are funneled to a contracts court ill-equipped for swift justice (Sneed, 2025; Zdechlik, 2025). This procedural sleight-of-hand, as critiqued by legal experts like Samuel Bagenstos, ensures "you're not going to be able to get any effective remedy" (Sneed, 2025). For neurodivergent communities, the stakes are existential. Sensory sensitivity research—essential for accommodations that mitigate overload and enhance performance—relies heavily on NIH funding (Schaaf et al., 2025; Brown et al., 2022). Studies validating wearable devices for real-time sensory modulation or environmental adaptations in educational settings are now at risk, potentially delaying tools that could transform classrooms into inclusive spaces (Thaumatec, 2025; Yellow Bus ABA, 2025).


Social acceptance follows suit: Without research countering stigma, narratives of deficit prevail, isolating individuals and hindering community integration (Chapman & Kurlin, 2024; Gordián-Vélez, 2022).

In higher education, the impact is catastrophic. Neurodivergent students already navigate barriers like sensory distress and executive function challenges, with inadequate supports leading to high attrition (Brown et al., 2022; Gordián-Vélez, 2022). NIH-backed initiatives have explored neurodiversity-inclusive campuses, recommending integrated accommodations and mental health resources (Brown et al., 2022). Cutting these funds exacerbates inequities, ignoring the neuro-neutral state's imperative to treat cognitive differences equitably (Chapman & Kurlin, 2024). Performance suffers when sensory needs go unmet, yet radical co-design—involving neurodivergent students in policy creation—could foster resilient systems (Stenning, 2024).


Employment paints an even bleaker picture. With neurodivergent unemployment rates soaring, NIH research has highlighted accommodations like flexible scheduling and sensory-friendly workspaces that boost retention and productivity (Andre, 2025; Business Edge, 2025; Autism Spectrum News, 2024). Defunding DEI-linked studies undermines these, perpetuating a workforce that views neurodivergence as a liability rather than an asset (Doyle, 2021; Ostrow et al., 2023). Social acceptance follows suit: Without research countering stigma, narratives of deficit prevail, isolating individuals and hindering community integration (Chapman & Kurlin, 2024; Gordián-Vélez, 2022).


This purge isn't isolated—it's part of a broader assault on inclusive science, echoing historical regressions like the Lavender Purge (Meldrum, 2025).* As a Fulbright Specialist inspired by my family's experiences, I advocate a measured radicalism: Reject federal dependency and build decentralized research ecosystems.


An Equity Call to Action:

Rally to the Neurodivergent Equity Alliance: Form regional task forces to co-design independent research agendas on sensory accommodations and mental health. Secure alternative funding through philanthropies and tech partnerships, while pushing for federal mandates requiring neurodiversity representation on NIH review panels. Amplify through petitions and protests—demand audits of all cuts and restitution for affected projects. Together, we'll forge a future where neurodivergent voices drive the science that liberates us.


* The Lavender Purge, more commonly known as the Lavender Scare, was a moral panic in the mid-20th century United States that targeted gay and lesbian people for mass dismissal from federal government employment. This campaign, which coincided with the anti-communist Red Scare, falsely accused LGBTQ+ individuals of being security risks and unfit for government service, leading to thousands of investigations, firings, and ruined careers from the late 1940s until the 1970s, with the impact lasting far beyond. 


About the Author:

Dr David Ruttenberg PhD, FRSA, FIoHE, AFHEA, HSRF is a neuroscientist, autism advocate, Fulbright Specialist Awardee, and Senior Research Fellow dedicated to advancing ethical artificial intelligence, neurodiversity accommodation, and transparent science communication. With a background spanning music production to cutting-edge wearable technology, Dr Ruttenberg combines science and compassion to empower individuals and communities to thrive. Inspired daily by their brilliant autistic daughter and family, Dr Ruttenberg strives to break barriers and foster a more inclusive, understanding world.


References

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Autism Spectrum News. (2024, October 3). Creating autism-friendly environments for workplace inclusivity. https://autismspectrumnews.org/creating-autism-friendly-environments-for-workplace-inclusivity/


Brown, C., Hedley, D., Lugo-Marín, J., Pasco, G., Remington, A., Trollor, J., Uljarević, M., & Pellicano, E. (2022). Building neurodiversity-inclusive postsecondary campuses: Recommendations for leaders in higher education. Autism in Adulthood, 4(1), 1–14. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10024274/


Business Edge. (2025, April 14). Autism Awareness Month 2025: Advancing inclusion in the workplace. https://bizedgeapp.com/blog/autism-awareness-month-2025-advancing-inclusion-in-the-modern-workplace


Chapman, R., & Kurlin, A. (2024). Neurodiversity and the neuro-neutral state. AJOB Neuroscience, 15(3), 1–14. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/21507740.2024.2368715?needAccess=true


Doyle, N. (2021). Diamond in the rough? An “empty review” of research into “neurodiversity” and a road map for developing the inclusion agenda. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 40(4), 1–20. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/EDI-06-2020-0172/full/pdf?title=diamond-in-the-rough-an-empty-review-of-research-into-neurodiversity-and-a-road-map-for-developing-the-inclusion-agenda


Gordián-Vélez, W. E. (2022). Ensuring the inclusion of people with disabilities in STEM education and careers. Journal of Science Policy & Governance, 20(2), 1–12. https://www.sciencepolicyjournal.org/uploads/5/4/3/4/5434385/gordi%C3%A1n-v%C3%A9lez_jspg_20-2.pdf


Meldrum, T. (2025). The lavender purge. Disability & Society, 40(2), 1–15. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12103649/


Ostrow, L., Nemec, P., & Smith, C. (2023). Neurodiversity and national security: How to tackle national security challenges with a wider range of cognitive talents. RAND Corporation. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10501819/


Schaaf, R. C., Dumont, R. L., Arbesman, M., & May-Benson, T. A. (2025). Sensory processing in autism: A call for research and action. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, Article 1584893. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1584893/full


Sneed, A. (2025, August 21). Supreme Court allows Trump's cuts to NIH grants over DEI policies. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-allows-trump-cuts-nih-grants-dei-policies-rcna222470


Stenning, A. (2024, November 18). When I say … neurodiversity paradigm. Medical Education, 58(8), 1–2. https://asmepublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/medu.15565


Szulc, J. M., Davies, J., Sypnik-Pogórzelska, M., & Waszkiewicz, M. J. (2021). Neurodiversity at work: A biopsychosocial model and the impact on working adults. British Medical Bulletin, 139(1), 1–13. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7732033/



Yellow Bus ABA. (2025, June 18). Smart home technology for autism sensory needs. https://www.yellowbusaba.com/post/smart-home-tech-for-autism-sensory-needs


Zdechlik, M. (2025, August 21). Supreme Court clears way for Trump admin. to cancel NIH grants. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-clears-trump-admin-cancel-nih-diversity-gender-identity-related-grants/

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