In April 2025, Dr. David Ruttenberg contributed to the national conversation on autism through opinion pieces published in the The New York Times and the Miami Herald. In these articles, he critically examined public claims made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. These claims framed autism as an “epidemic.”
Dr. Ruttenberg argued that such rhetoric is both scientifically inaccurate and socially harmful. He noted that it perpetuates stigma and undermines decades of progress in understanding autism as a spectrum of neurodevelopmental differences. Drawing on his expertise in cognitive neuroscience and his lived experience as a parent, he emphasized the importance of evidence-based and compassionate discourse. He also advocated for a shift in public conversation toward inclusion, dignity, and meaningful investment in supports and policies. These efforts, he argued, are essential to improving quality of life for autistic individuals and their families.
Ruttenberg, D. (2025, April 24). Opinion: Kennedy’s Dangerous Autism Claims. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/opinion/kennedy-autism.html
Ruttenberg, D. (2025, April 18). Opinion: RFK Jr.’s Claims About Autism Being an ‘Epidemic’ Are Harmful. The Miami Herald. https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article304284081.html
Dr. David Ruttenberg, PhD, FRSA, FIoHE, AFHEA, HSRF, recently served as an invited reviewer for multiple study sections within the National Institutes of Health. His contributions included the Autism Data Science Initiative (ADSI) Scientific Review Board and the SBIR/STTR Psychopathology and Mental Health Interventions Review Panel. In these roles, he applied his interdisciplinary expertise in cognitive neuroscience, multimodal learning analytics, and neurodiversity research. He evaluated innovative, high-impact proposals focused on early detection, intervention strategies, and scalable mental health solutions.
Dr. Ruttenberg’s perspective is shaped by both his academic work and his lived experience as a parent of an autistic adult. This dual lens informed his approach to assessing scientific merit and real-world applicability. His service reflects a continued commitment to ensuring that federally funded research is both rigorous and meaningful. It also contributes to shaping a more inclusive and impactful future for mental health and autism research.
On October 18, 2024, David Ruttenberg, a Fulbright Specialist Awardee and PhD Research Scientist from University College London, delivered a lecture at Florida Atlantic University’s Hearing Tinnitus Balance Research Laboratory (HTBRL). Drawing from his research in cognitive neuroscience and multimodal learning analytics, David explored the intricate relationships between sound sensory processing, attention, and neurodiversity. He shared insights from his recent work on sensitivity, distractibility, and mental health accommodations for both neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals. Leveraging his personal experience as a parent of an autistic adults and his academic expertise, David discussed how sensory sensitivities can impact learning, employment, social interactions, and overall quality of life. The lecture concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where attendees—comprising Masters and PhD students—had the opportunity to delve deeper into David’s initiatives and approach to understanding cognitive diversity.
Between September 27 and 29, 2023, David Ruttenberg took on the roles of chair, panel participant, and presenter at the Multimodality and Future Landscapes event at ICOM-11, delving into topics like Meaning Making, AI, Education, Assessment, and Ethics. The presentation focused on data extracted from his thesis, which outlines improved approaches to alleviate sensory sensitivity experiences, attentional challenges, and mental well-being disturbances in autistic adults. This information was shared with an academic audience, emphasizing an ethical perspective geared towards protecting at-risk autistic individuals from security and harm issues when gathering their personal data through environmental and psychophysiological sensors.
After completing a 3-year term as Chairperson for the Florida Atlantic University’s Centre for Autism and Related Disabilities (FAU-CARD), David Ruttenberg was re-elected to the Executive Board for an extended 5-year term. FAUCARD, a community-based program, provides direct assistance to 7,500+ individuals with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities, offering support to families, schools, and community agencies. Services include training for family members, professional development for educators, support groups, community education, information dissemination, referrals, newsletters, and email updates. The center also supports businesses working with individuals with autism, among other initiatives.
Several DevDivLab members and alumni presented at the ITAKOM Conference from Monday 13 – Tuesday 14 March 2023 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and online. These included posters from:
Ruihan Wu who presented on "Are the social abilities of neurodivergent individuals measured accurately? An intergroup bias in smile discrimination in autism."
David Ruttenberg who presented on "Sensory, Attention And Mental Health Interventions For Autism: A Technological Patient And Public Involvement Study."
To mark World Autism Awareness Day, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society (formerly the Institute of Education) rounded up a selection of the many ways our researchers, lecturers, and students are working to transform the narrative around autism in a recent twitter post. The DevDivLab was featured also featured in a Q&A Article featuring David Ruttenberg’s research.
PhD Student Researcher David Ruttenberg recently contributed to the UK Parliament’s Office of Science and Technology (POST) by helping to author a POSTnote entitled Invisible Disabilities in Education and Employment. This work provide an overview of invisible disability in the UK and outlines types of invisible differences and relevant legislation and policy. It also discusses the experiences of adults with invisible disabilities, and strategies aimed at increasing access and inclusion for adults with invisible disabilities, focusing on employment, and higher and further education. David drew from his research, and in particular, his focus group and questionnaire data that were part of his Patient and Public Information studies.
The Institute of Healthcare Engineering (IHE) exists to improve lives through technology. From 3D-printing prosthetics limbs to developing AI that can spot cancer, our scientists are focused on making a real-world impact.
On 12 and 17 May, a fast-paced lunch presentation occurred with scientists taking no more than 5 minutes to present their research (without PowerPoint screens!), with a bit of silliness delivered by comedian/scientist Dr Steve Cross.
Our own David Ruttenberg presented his SensorAble Project, detailing how individuals with autistic diagnoses contend with sensory, attention and mental health (e.g., anxiety and fatigue) issues at school, work , and in social scenarios.
