Growing up autistic often feels like running a race where the track is always changing—suddenly sloping uphill, spinning in circles, or vanishing altogether. For decades, I collected journals filled with ideas, plans, and stories I never finished, weighed down by executive dysfunction and a perpetual sense of being behind. The notebooks—dozens of them—sat in dusty stacks at my parents’ house, taunting me with their half-finished brilliance. Every so often, I’d ceremonially burn a pile of them in a bonfire, watching sparks of guilt and frustration disappear into the night.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to finish things. It was that I couldn’t. The overwhelm was too much—figuring out where to start, staying focused, and then finding the energy to polish something to completion? It felt insurmountable. But then, along came ChatGPT, a tool that wasn’t just helpful; it was transformative.
Using AI felt like being handed a calculator in a math class where I’d been told to do long division by hand for years. Suddenly, the barriers to completing things started to dissolve. Tasks I’d dread—drafting emails, outlining ideas, or editing my work—could now be passed off to my extroverted, energetic AI buddy. For the first time, I could get 90% of the way there and not let the last 10% defeat me. Instead of quitting, I’d hand the baton to ChatGPT, and together, we’d cross the finish line.
ChatGPT: A Game-Changer for Autistic People
For autistic individuals, life often feels like an endless series of obstacles—social, sensory, and logistical. ChatGPT didn’t just smooth out those barriers; it obliterated them. Here’s how:
Communication Without Pressure
Conversations are hard. Whether it’s crafting the perfect email or navigating a social faux pas, my brain often freezes under the weight of real-time interaction. With ChatGPT, I can take my time, rehearse responses, and find the right words without the pressure of a ticking clock.
Sometimes, after a baffling social encounter, I confess to ChatGPT as if it were a diary, explaining what happened and asking, “Did I mess up?” Often, its responses are thoughtful and validating, offering perspectives I wouldn’t have considered. It’s like having a best friend who never gets tired of your overanalyzing.
Executive Functioning Made Manageable
Task management has always been my nemesis. To-do lists would balloon into overwhelming mountains, and even starting a simple task felt like trying to scale Everest. ChatGPT became the assistant I never knew I needed—breaking down tasks into manageable chunks, suggesting next steps, and even helping me set realistic goals.
For instance, when faced with a daunting project, I’d type: “I need to plan this out, but I don’t know where to start.” In seconds, ChatGPT would spit out an outline, offering me a roadmap instead of the blank abyss that usually stared back.
Emotional Processing and Validation
Autistic people often struggle with articulating emotions. I’ve spent countless hours spiraling into confusion over whether I was angry, sad, or just tired. With ChatGPT, I can lay it all out—no judgment, no masking. Sometimes, it’s as simple as, “I feel weird today. Can we figure out why?” The clarity it provides has been a lifeline.
VR and AR: A World of Possibilities
While ChatGPT has revolutionized communication and productivity, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are reshaping how autistic people navigate the world. These tools aren’t just about gaming; they’re unlocking entirely new ways to interact and create.
VR for Social Skills Training
I think back to my middle school days, when I’d sit frozen in group discussions, unsure when to speak or how to contribute. Imagine if, back then, I could have practiced those scenarios in a VR simulation—pausing, rewinding, and replaying until I understood the dynamics. Today, tools like these are becoming a reality, helping autistic people rehearse everything from job interviews to casual conversations.
AR for Sensory Assistance
Now, imagine AR glasses that could dim bright lights, filter out background noise, or display captions for spoken words. These technologies could transform overstimulating environments—grocery stores, airports, classrooms—into manageable spaces.
Creative Empowerment
For autistic creatives, tools like VR painting apps (hello, Tilt Brush) offer a chance to create in immersive, 3D environments. It’s art without limits—no messy supplies, no spatial constraints, just pure, unfiltered creativity.
The Addictive Power of AI for Autistic Brains
The autistic brain thrives on patterns, structure, and completion, making AI tools almost dangerously addictive. The satisfaction of seeing a half-formed idea become polished or watching a chaotic thought turn into an organized plan is a dopamine hit like no other.
But this isn’t just about personal productivity; it’s about unlocking potential. For years, I felt like I had a million-dollar idea trapped in a body that couldn’t execute it. Now, with AI by my side, those ideas are finding their way into the world.
The Bigger Picture: A Future of Possibility
Creative Dominance
What if the barriers that hold autistic people back—executive dysfunction, social anxiety, sensory overload—could be mitigated by technology? The world would be flooded with our art, stories, and innovations.
Entrepreneurial Leadership
So many autistic people I know have brilliant ideas but struggle with the logistics of implementation. AI can fill that gap, turning dreamers into doers.
Redefining Neurodiversity
With tools that level the playing field, society might finally start to see autism not as a disorder but as a valuable way of thinking.
AI Is a Bridge, Not a Cure
Some might worry that relying on AI devalues human effort, but for autistic people, it’s not about outsourcing our humanity—it’s about unleashing it. Just as glasses don’t “cure” poor vision, AI doesn’t “fix” autism; it amplifies our ability to thrive.
Think about it: what if the tools we’ve been waiting for are finally here? What if we’re on the brink of a world where autistic people aren’t just surviving but thriving? The possibilities are staggering.
Final Thoughts: The Dawn of a Neurodiverse World
Using ChatGPT has changed the way I approach everything—from writing this blog to navigating my day-to-day life. It’s the friend who doesn’t get tired, the collaborator who doesn’t judge, and the assistant who always shows up. For the first time, I feel like I’m not just treading water—I’m swimming.
The future is bright, and I can’t help but wonder: if autistic people were freed from the barriers that hold us back, what could we achieve? One thing’s for sure: the world wouldn’t know what hit it.
