AI and Neurodivergence: The Unexpected Accessibility Tool We Can’t Ignore Examining

Bridgette Hamstead

Artificial intelligence has become an integral part of modern life, transforming the way we work, communicate, and interact with the world. For neurodivergent adults, AI presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. While much of the mainstream conversation around AI focuses on its economic and ethical implications, there has been little attention given to its role as an accessibility tool for neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and other forms of neurodivergence. AI has the potential to support neurodivergent people in ways that traditional systems have failed, offering assistance with executive functioning, communication, organization, and self-advocacy. However, it also comes with risks, particularly when AI is designed without neurodivergent input or when its implementation exacerbates systemic inequities. Understanding both the benefits and drawbacks of AI in the context of neurodivergence is essential for harnessing its potential while mitigating its harms.

One of the most immediate benefits of AI for neurodivergent individuals is in the realm of executive functioning support. Many neurodivergent people struggle with planning, organization, time management, and task initiation, making it difficult to keep up with work and daily responsibilities. AI-powered tools, such as smart calendars, scheduling assistants, and task management apps, can provide crucial support by offering reminders, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and automating repetitive processes. Voice-activated assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant can help neurodivergent individuals set reminders, manage schedules, and create structured routines, reducing cognitive overload and decision fatigue. AI-driven note-taking applications that transcribe meetings, summarize key points, and suggest action items can be particularly beneficial for those with working memory challenges, ensuring that important information is not lost in the moment.

For neurodivergent individuals with communication differences, AI can serve as a bridge between different communication styles. Text-to-speech and speech-to-text applications allow individuals with dyslexia, dyspraxia, or speech-related challenges to interact with written and spoken language in a way that works best for them. AI-driven grammar and spelling tools, such as Grammarly, can assist those with dyslexia or ADHD in producing written work without being penalized for differences in language processing. Similarly, AI-based communication apps can facilitate alternative forms of expression for non-speaking autistic individuals or those with social anxiety, providing tools for text-based or visual communication when verbal speech is difficult. Chatbots and virtual assistants can also offer a low-pressure way for neurodivergent individuals to practice social interactions or rehearse conversations before engaging in real-world scenarios.

In the workplace, AI has the potential to create more inclusive environments for neurodivergent employees by automating repetitive tasks, reducing sensory overwhelm, and personalizing work experiences. Automated workflows and AI-powered data analysis tools can help reduce the need for manual data entry and other monotonous tasks that may be difficult for those with ADHD or dyspraxia. AI-driven transcription services can make meetings more accessible by providing real-time captions and summaries for employees who process auditory information differently. Virtual reality (VR) and AI-based workplace training programs can offer interactive, self-paced learning experiences that accommodate different cognitive styles and sensory needs. Additionally, AI-powered hiring platforms that prioritize skills-based assessments over traditional resumes and interviews could help combat the biases that disproportionately exclude neurodivergent candidates from employment opportunities.

Despite its benefits, AI also presents risks and potential harms for neurodivergent individuals, particularly when it reinforces existing biases or lacks accessibility features. Many AI-driven hiring systems rely on neurotypical communication patterns and may unfairly disadvantage neurodivergent applicants who struggle with conventional social cues or standardized assessments. AI-generated content moderation systems on social media platforms have been known to disproportionately flag neurodivergent communication styles as inappropriate or off-topic, leading to unnecessary bans and restrictions. Similarly, predictive AI models used in healthcare and education may fail to account for the diverse needs of neurodivergent individuals, resulting in misdiagnoses, inadequate accommodations, or exclusion from critical services. The increasing reliance on AI in workplace performance evaluations could also disadvantage neurodivergent employees whose work styles do not fit conventional expectations, leading to unfair assessments and job insecurity.

Another major concern is the potential for AI to be used as a tool of surveillance and control rather than empowerment. Some AI-driven monitoring systems in schools and workplaces are designed to track attention, engagement, and productivity, often penalizing behaviors that are common among neurodivergent individuals, such as fidgeting, taking movement breaks, or using assistive tools like text-to-speech software. AI-based surveillance technologies that monitor eye contact, facial expressions, or tone of voice can disproportionately harm autistic individuals and those with social anxiety by reinforcing neurotypical norms as the standard for appropriate behavior. If AI is used to enforce compliance rather than support autonomy, it risks becoming another barrier to accessibility rather than a tool for liberation.

To ensure that AI serves as an accessibility tool rather than a source of harm, neurodivergent individuals must be actively involved in its development, implementation, and regulation. AI designers and policymakers should consult with neurodivergent experts and organizations to ensure that AI systems are built with inclusivity in mind. Ethical AI development should prioritize transparency, user control, and adaptability, allowing neurodivergent users to customize AI tools according to their specific needs rather than forcing them into rigid, one-size-fits-all frameworks. Employers and educators should implement AI in ways that support neurodivergent strengths rather than penalizing differences, integrating AI-driven accommodations that enhance accessibility rather than imposing additional barriers.

AI has the potential to be a powerful accessibility tool for neurodivergent individuals, offering support in executive functioning, communication, and workplace inclusion. However, without careful implementation, it also has the capacity to reinforce existing inequities and create new forms of exclusion. By centering the needs and voices of neurodivergent individuals in AI development, we can harness this technology as a force for inclusion, ensuring that it empowers rather than marginalizes. The future of AI and neurodivergence depends on intentional design, ethical oversight, and a commitment to accessibility that prioritizes the dignity and autonomy of neurodivergent people in all areas of life.

Here is a list of specific AI tools and how they help neurodivergent people across different areas of life, work, and communication:

Executive Functioning & Organization

1. Google Calendar & Microsoft Outlook – Helps with scheduling, reminders, and breaking tasks into manageable steps, supporting those with ADHD, autism, and executive dysfunction.

2. Todoist & Trello – Task management tools that allow for visual organization, deadlines, and automated task prioritization, assisting with executive functioning and time management.

3. Sunsama – An AI-powered planner that integrates tasks, emails, and calendars, helping neurodivergent individuals structure their day in a way that reduces overwhelm.

4. Notion & Evernote – AI-supported note-taking apps that help organize information, create structured plans, and provide easy-to-access reference material for dyslexic and ADHD users.

5. Reclaim.ai – AI-powered scheduling assistant that automatically plans tasks and meetings while protecting personal focus time, useful for those with time-blindness and executive dysfunction.

Communication & Writing Assistance

1. Grammarly & Hemingway Editor – AI writing assistants that check grammar, readability, and clarity, supporting dyslexic and ADHD individuals in professional and academic writing.

2. Otter.ai & Rev.com – AI-powered transcription services that convert speech to text, making meetings, lectures, and conversations more accessible for those with auditory processing difficulties.

3. Speechnotes & Dragon NaturallySpeaking – AI-powered dictation software that helps those with dysgraphia, dyspraxia, or processing challenges convert speech into written text.

4. DeepL & Google Translate – AI translation tools that support neurodivergent multilingual individuals who may struggle with language processing and comprehension.

5. Microsoft Immersive Reader – Reads text aloud, changes font size, and highlights words to support those with dyslexia, ADHD, and other reading-related challenges.

Social Interaction & Accessibility

1. Replika AI – An AI chatbot that helps neurodivergent people practice conversations and social interactions in a judgment-free environment.

2. Wysa & Woebot – AI-powered mental health chatbots that provide support and coping strategies for neurodivergent individuals dealing with anxiety, burnout, and sensory overwhelm.

3. TippyTalk – AI-based alternative communication tool that helps non-speaking autistic individuals communicate via text-to-speech pictograms.

4. Otsimo AAC – An AI-driven augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app designed for non-speaking neurodivergent individuals.

5. Jasper AI – AI-generated text and chatbot support that can help neurodivergent individuals craft professional emails and social messages without communication stress.

Workplace & Education Support

1. Zoom AI Companion & Microsoft Copilot – AI meeting assistants that summarize discussions, take notes, and suggest action items, helping those with working memory difficulties and auditory processing differences.

2. Speechify – AI-powered text-to-speech tool that reads out documents, emails, and books, helping those with dyslexia and reading difficulties process information more effectively.

3. MindMeister – AI-supported mind-mapping tool that helps neurodivergent individuals visually structure their ideas, making planning and brainstorming more accessible.

4. Quizlet AI & Khanmigo (by Khan Academy) – AI-powered study assistants that help students with learning differences by breaking down complex topics into more digestible formats.

5. Glean – AI-powered note-taking assistant that records lectures and extracts key information, supporting neurodivergent students who struggle with fast-paced lectures.

Daily Living & Sensory Regulation

1. Calm & Headspace – AI-powered mindfulness and meditation apps that provide guided breathing and relaxation exercises, helping autistic and ADHD individuals regulate sensory overload.

2. Brain.fm – AI-generated background music designed to enhance focus and relaxation, useful for those with ADHD, sensory sensitivities, or auditory processing challenges.

3. Sero AI (by Be My Eyes) – AI-powered visual assistance for blind and low-vision users, useful for neurodivergent people with co-occurring visual processing difficulties.

4. Ava – AI-powered real-time captioning for in-person conversations, supporting autistic and auditory-processing-challenged individuals in group settings.

5. Neurodiversity Friendly Chatbots (GPT-4 & Claude) – AI-powered chat assistants that can help neurodivergent individuals process thoughts, problem-solve, and navigate social interactions with reduced stress.

AI has the potential to be a game-changer for neurodivergent individuals, offering tailored support in executive functioning, communication, learning, and daily life. However, the key is customization and accessibility, ensuring these tools are flexible and meet the unique needs of each person. With thoughtful use, AI can be a transformative accessibility tool that empowers neurodivergent people to thrive in a world that was not built with them in mind.