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.
The DevDivLab is pleased to welcome Lina Erilli and Lucie Vigreux as our newest interns. We’re also very pleased to welcome Imogen Krell as a research assistant. All lab members are sad to say goodbye to Hannah Partington and Beth Jones, but wish them well in their new posts. Hannah is starting work as an assistant psychologist and Beth has left to pursue a PhD with Dr. Jo Moss, our collaborator at University of Surrey. Congratulations to Hannah and Beth!
Congratulations to David Ruttenberg for having been appointed a Fellow of the The Royal Society of the Arts (RSA), which is granted to individuals judged to have made outstanding achievements to social progress and development. Founded in 1754 by William Shipley as the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, it was granted a Royal Charter in 1847 and the right to use the term “Royal” in its name by King Edward VII in 1908. The RSA acronym is used more frequently than the full legal name (The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce). David has already attended several workshops where he conveyed his passion for studying interventions for autistic individuals.
