180 From Letterboards to Augmented Reality: Building Tech That Respects Neurodivergence with Prof Diwakar Krishnamurthy
Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent LearnersShow Notes
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Diwakar Krishnamurthy—engineer, AI researcher, and parent of a non-speaking autistic teen—about what it takes to build truly accessible communication tools. We discuss: Why most autism tech fails non-speakers
How apraxia—not cognitive delay—affects communication
What happens when you design technology with non-speaking autistic users
How augmented reality tools can support motor planning, regulation, and independence
What it means to integrate AI without removing human connection
We also talk about the real cost of gatekeeping, the burden placed on parents, and why presuming competence isn't idealism—it's the foundation for meaningful progress.
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