Tracy Sheen
I’ve spent more than 30 years in the tech industry launching mobile phones, SMS technology and digital tools into Aussie homes and workplaces. But the biggest shift in my own working life didn’t come from a product launch. It came from a diagnosis. At 48, I learnt I was neurodivergent (ADHD and autism).
Looking back, it explained everything. Corporate life had always felt like an obstacle course. I built a strong career, but I constantly overstepped invisible lines. I never quite understood the rules.
Since leaving that world and building a business that works with my brain, not against it, I’ve come to rely on something else that changed everything: artificial intelligence. Tools like ChatGPT now help me write emails that land the way I mean them to.
They help me simplify complex plans into something I can act on. They don’t change what I do, but they’ve fundamentally changed how I show up in a world that wasn’t built for how I think.
The quiet revolution
Neurodiversity refers to the natural range of differences in brain function and behaviour, including conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia and Tourette syndrome. About one in five Australians are neurodivergent, yet many still face barriers to meaningful, sustainable employment.
Speech-to-text apps help workers who struggle with reading or writing. Scheduling tools remove the mental load of planning and prioritising. AI assistants can summarise notes, simplify complex instructions or structure reports without judgment, and without burning out a colleague’s time.
For neurodivergent staff, these tools are more than convenient. They’re often the difference between coping and thriving.
Josh*, a graphic designer with ADHD, knows the freeze that can come from not knowing where to start. “If I don’t have a clear entry point, I’ll put it off for hours,” he said. “Then the panic kicks in and, suddenly, it’s midnight, and I’ve spiralled.”
For him, AI tools like Grammarly and ChatGPT break the inertia. “They give me a starting point. Even just seeing a rough draft gets me moving again. It’s not about shortcuts; it’s about keeping me out of time blindness and overwhelm.”
It’s a sentiment echoed across sectors. Recently, major employers including the Australian Public Service have trialled AI-supported systems to improve accessibility, onboarding and communication. When used thoughtfully, AI supports flexibility, improves confidence and gives people more autonomy. But it’s not a silver bullet.
Mind the AI gap
Poorly implemented tools, especially those that track output or behaviour can backfire.
“AI can help, but only if it’s introduced with inclusion in mind.” That’s a view shared by Dr Anna Wright, co-founder of BindiMaps, a navigation app originally designed for people with vision impairments.
She’s a strong advocate for co-design, urging developers and employers alike to involve people with lived experience early in the process. “Include all people in planning and delivering your product,” she said in a recent interview.
Privacy is also a growing concern. When neurodivergent workers rely on AI tools to manage emotions, document sensitive conversations or rewrite tough emails, they need to trust that those tools won’t be misused. “AI should support us,” Josh says. “Not spy on us.”
What workplaces can do
Like any tool, AI is only as good as the way it’s used. For employers, the best place to start is with a conversation.
- What’s getting in the way of people doing their best work?
- Could AI reduce friction or fatigue?
- Can the team trial something together?
Avoid one-size-fits-all tools. Prioritise options that users can control. And remember, tech doesn’t replace support. It complements it. Neurodivergent workers aren’t asking for special treatment. We’re asking for environments where we can thrive without masking, second guessing or burning out.
AI also helps neurotypical colleagues better understand their divergent thinkers. It can bridge communication gaps, reduce friction and open more doors to hiring people who align with company values bringing critical perspectives and creative thinking that might otherwise be missed.
We’re at a turning point. The right tools, applied with care, can open doors we’ve left shut for too long. AI won’t fix everything. But with the right approach, it can be the quiet copilot we didn’t know we needed.
*Name changed for privacy.
Tracy Sheen is a digital strategist, speaker and author of AI & U: Reimagine Business. With more than 30 years in the tech industry, she now works with organisations across Australia to build more inclusive, AI-ready workplaces.
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