Raising a Changemaker: Why Our Revolution Begins with Neurodivergent Minds

<5 minute read

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

An illustration of a young collegiate woman reading a book in a university library.

Introduction

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 revolution.

Flipping the Narrative: Neurodivergence as Advantage

Instead of asking how to “fix” Phoebe, my wife Suzy and I set out to understand what made her glow. Through over twenty years, we discovered a radical, evidence-driven approach: treat neurological diversity as a framework for brilliance. Our journey transformed not only Phoebe’s life (now a confident, self-advocating college student) but our entire worldview about human potential.

From Studio to Startup: Building What Love Demands

When off-the-shelf solutions failed Phoebe’s unique sensory needs, I built a wearable device—right in our home recording studio—that tracked environmental triggers and offered personalized, real-time supports. This wasn’t about changing Phoebe; it was about changing the environments that weren’t built for her (Ruttenberg, 2025). That homemade device grew into peer-reviewed research, ten patents, and a mission to develop ethical AI that lifts neurodivergent communities.

Features, Not Bugs: The Power of Perspective

Shifting our outlook—from “deficit” to “difference”—meant recognizing Phoebe’s unique systems-thinking, resilience, and drive as core assets. Rather than teaching her to mask or contort herself to fit in, our focus was on equipping her and the world with tools for mutual understanding and growth. This “prism-tilting” perspective has paid off: Phoebe is not only navigating college and life with confidence, but redefining what thriving looks like for countless others.

The Changemaker Revolution Is Here (and It's Personal)

Each neurodivergent child, like every person, has the capacity to be a changemaker. The challenge? Ensuring they have the support, acceptance, and opportunities to transform not just their own lives, but the world around them. Raising a changemaker isn’t about “overcoming” difference—it’s about building a future where everyone’s unique wiring powers creative, social, and scientific breakthroughs.

References

Ruttenberg, D. (2025). Raising a Changemaker: A Neuroscientist Father’s Guide to Empowering Neurodivergent Children [Manuscript introduction]. Unpublished manuscript.

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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.