Is AI the Assistant Neurodivergent Minds Have Been Waiting For?

Tobey Alexander
Jul 18
5 min read

AI tools are everywhere. Most of them promise productivity, clarity, and time-saving magic. But when you’re neurodivergent, the picture gets more complex.

As someone with an AuDHD brain, I’ve had both moments of brilliance and digital meltdowns thanks to AI.

I have had my fair share of BOTH including calling my AI names when it allows me to get confused by my own thoughts!

So, is it a game-changer? Or just another rabbit hole with better branding?

Here’s my honest take and I have toyed with a variety of AI options but in no way consider myself an expert...more a casual user with an interest in finding ways that we can harness it rather than run screaming for the hills, especially when I see how it can help in the neurodivergent sphere.

✅ BENEFIT: It moves as fast as your brain

One of the biggest gifts? AI can keep up with you.

When your mind is racing with ten ideas at once, an assistant that can instantly brainstorm, outline or organise your thoughts is gold. It stops your good ideas from vanishing while your fingers try to catch up. It becomes a way of externalising your speed, especially helpful when traditional tools feel too slow or rigid.

❌ COST: More rabbit holes, faster

But with speed comes chaos. AI can fuel the very thing that burns many of us out, over-researching, over-exploring, endlessly tweaking. You want a quick answer, and suddenly it’s two hours later, you’ve built a fictional company and half-planned your 2026 retreat.

AI doesn’t tell you to stop. And neurodivergent brains? We don’t always set the brakes.

I can't tell you how much time I have SAVED with AI to then WASTE on new rabbit holes...it's about conscious balance.

✅ BENEFIT: Editing and language support (especially for dyslexia)

Many AI tools now include:

Built-in grammar and spelling support
Rewording suggestions for clarity
Tools that help translate jumbled thoughts into clearer formats

If your hands type slower than your thoughts (hi, welcome to my world), it helps bridge that gap. And for dyslexic users, it can offer smoother communication without judgement or red lines.

❌ COST: Overwhelm from “too many tools”

Let’s be honest. The AI world is a sensory overload. You’ve got:

Voice assistants
Writing bots
Mind-mapping tools
Image generators
Video explainers
Dictation tech
Smart schedulers…and that’s just your first five tabs.

Neurodivergent brains love tools. Until we’re buried under them.

And you know what, who doesn't want to try them all but...trials, expiries, discounts, full-price, terms, additions, options....ahhhhhhhh

✅ BENEFIT: Personalised, long-term support (with paid plans)

Some premium AI platforms actually learn your style. They adapt to your quirks, habits and preferences. That can turn them into something more than a tool, more like a cognitive companion.

It can be powerful. Especially if you struggle to maintain routines, remember steps or juggle all the plates alone.

❌ COST: Losing your individuality

There’s a real danger in letting AI speak for you instead of with you. It’s tempting to let it smooth the rough edges, but those edges might be where your voice lives. Especially as a neurodivergent creator, your uniqueness matters. AI should amplify that, not erase it.

❌ COST: Subscription creep and decision fatigue

It’s not just the emotional cost. There’s a literal one.Finding the right tool for your brain is trial and error. Most of us sign up for multiple platforms before one sticks. Monthly fees rack up. Features feel 80% useful. None are built exactly for the way your brain works.

And if you’re like me, tracking your subscriptions might be the final straw.

🧠 Final Thought: AI is a tool, not a saviour

Used wisely, AI can be a lifeline, not to make us more “normal”, but to give our brains the space to do what they do best.

The secret?

Know what you need help with, and set clear limits. It’s not about automating your life. It’s about empowering it.

BONUS: Prompts That Genuinely Help My Neurodivergent Brain

Save this. Screenshot it. Share it. Or just start using them today.

These prompts are simple, human, and structured to support executive function, clarity, and self-reflection.(And no, none of them involve writing blogs or faking your tone.)

Now I will share these as a carousel of images in the future, but I thought they would be useful and believe me my ChatGPT has hundreds of tried and failed attempts to find a way to make it work for me! BUt, here are some that are better than just blindly...erm...p*****g into the wind!

Structured Daily Planner for Executive Function

“I need to plan today in a way that doesn’t overwhelm me. Please break my day into three main blocks:

Morning
Midday
Evening
For each block, suggest:
1 essential task
1 bonus (if energy allows)
1 built-in pause or sensory break
Keep the format bullet-pointed and minimal.”

Prioritising With Context and Energy Checks

“Help me list today’s tasks by priority. Categorise them as:

Must Do (urgent + important)
Should Do (important, but not time critical)
Could Do (only if I have capacity)Also, factor in that my energy dips around [insert time if known]. Don’t overload any single block.”

Brain Offload and Reflection Dump

“Prompt me to do an unfiltered offload. Ask me:

What’s stuck in your head right now?
What didn’t get done that’s bothering you?
Is there something you’re avoiding?
What’s making you anxious that you haven’t said out loud yet?Then reframe it into 3 focus areas for tomorrow.”

Honest Emotional Check-In With Gentle Logic

“Ask me the following reflection questions in plain, supportive language:

How’s your brain feeling today (overloaded, bored, wired, foggy)?
What was the hardest part of the day?
What felt good or easier than expected?
Did I mask more than usual today?
What’s one thing I need to hear right now?Give me a short summary back like a friend would.”

Celebrating Wins I Missed

“Based on everything I’ve told you recently, remind me of 3 things I’ve done well in the past few days — especially things I might not have seen as achievements. Keep it grounded, not fluffy. Use my own phrasing where possible.”

*this one I find extremely useful and I refer to a lot with my ZOOM OUT posts!

Future-You Memory Prompt

“Remind me of what actually helped me last time I was stuck like this. List the 3 most effective strategies I’ve used in the past for:

Getting started on hard tasks
Dealing with low motivation
Recovering after burnout
Use what I’ve told you about myself before — not generic advice.”

Building with Neurodivergent Insight = Building Better

If you're an AI developer, product designer, or voice tool creator, especially those working on dictation, scheduling, or cognitive support, I’m open to collaborations, partnerships, and beta insight roles from a neurodivergent perspective.

I don’t just talk about neurodivergence, I live it, lead with it, and know what actually works in real life.

Whether you’re building the next generation of human-first AI or fine-tuning a product to meet more nuanced needs, I can offer:

Real-world usability testing
Neurodivergent workflow insight
Prompt structuring and scenario mapping
Honest feedback from an executive-function-challenged brain that still gets sh*t done

Let’s make tools that really support difference, not just simulate it.

You can connect at www.tobey-alexander.com