Exclusive: How tech is giving autistic minds space to thrive and be heard

For someone who has worked in autism education for two decades, Craig Smith still lights up when talking about the impactful role of technology.

Sitting in his colourful office brimming with creativity, Smith highlighted the joy that working in neurodiverse spaces brings him - and the hope he feels on World Autism Understanding Day.

As Manager of Technology and Innovation at Positive Partnerships, a government-funded initiative delivered by Autism Spectrum Australia, Smith has witnessed how emerging tech tools are supporting autistic people in ways once thought unimaginable.

"In the classroom, we used to rely on specialist, expensive software to help students organise their day or prepare for social situations," he explained.

"Now, the same support is baked into everyday apps on your phone - reminders, visual planners, shopping lists with emojis, even notes that include pictures."

These formerly niche tools are now mainstream. And for many autistic people who experience difficulties with executive functioning – planning, initiating tasks, regulating focus – this shift is transformative.

"Someone might use an AI assistant like ChatGPT in voice mode to talk through their day," Smith said. "They'll say, 'Here's what I need to do, help me break it down,' and the AI gives it back in manageable chunks. That can be a massive help when everything feels overwhelming."

He described one example of a person who turns to AI to make their tasks fun – asking it to role-play as a detective guiding them to find an old report buried in their inbox.

Another uploads a photo of their messy bedroom and asks for a step-by-step guide to tidying it up, perhaps even in the voice of a favourite Harry Potter character.

"Those are real, everyday brain hacks that just wouldn't have been possible a few years ago," Smith said.

"And it's not just that the tech exists – it's that people are using it in creative, personalised ways to suit their needs."

TechDay also spoke with Rebecca McCash, an Autistic woman who navigates the business world not only as herself, but as a leader.

McCash is the founder and CEO of FutureTech Australia, a social enterprise focused on harnessing neurodivergent talent to build a more inclusive future.

She's also an Inclusion Consultant with Aspect's Autism Friendly team, where she helps organisations reimagine accessibility.

Her journey "hasn't been simple", she admitted.

"Navigating the world of business and social entrepreneurship as an Autistic woman can be challenging, often in unexpected ways," she said. "Misreading social cues, making blunders without realising – it can make some spaces feel hard to navigate."

There are other barriers, too: subtle biases around gender, age, and disability. But McCash says her autistic brain "also gives her an edge" - particularly in how she solves problems.

"I tend to focus intensely," she said. "Sometimes I don't even notice the social noise around me because I'm so deep in the work. It helps me stay grounded in what matters."

She's also strategic in how she manages her mental load. Tools like Calendly and Monday.com help her schedule meetings and organise workflows without burnout. ChatGPT, she says, is particularly powerful for breaking down complex tasks and getting unstuck.

"My biggest advice to any neurodivergent person is to use what helps you offload the stuff that's draining," she said. "That frees up energy for the work you're truly good at."

The ability to create structure, clarity and breathing room is key in high-pressure environments, where expectations can feel murky or overwhelming. And McCash wants employers to realise just how diverse the autistic community truly is.

"We're often pigeonholed into roles that limit us," she said. "But we can be incredible leaders. We're highly empathetic, often able to see organisational issues before anyone else does."

She describes autistic employees as the "canaries in the coal mine" – spotting red flags early, not to undermine authority but to help.

"That gets misinterpreted," she said. "People think we're challenging leadership. But really, we're trying to protect the integrity of the work."

What she and many others want isn't special treatment – it's clarity, systems that make sense, and trust in their intentions.

"Sometimes I come across as blunt," McCash said. "But I value efficiency. Let's solve the problem. That's what matters."

The pressure to "mask" – to hide autistic traits and appear neurotypical – is something she knows well. She's had to make herself smaller, more palatable, just to survive.

"The hardest part is not knowing what the right mask is," she said. "It's exhausting. But now, I work in spaces where I'm accepted and even celebrated for who I am. That's a privilege - and it shouldn't be."

"I want a world where autistic people can be unapologetically themselves - and where that's seen as a strength, not a liability."

This sense of inclusion-by-design is at the heart of what Dr Tom Tutton advocates for as Head of Aspect's Autism Friendly team. Through his work, he's seen how technology - when developed thoughtfully - can radically transform environments.

"In tech settings, fostering inclusivity means increasing predictability, designing sensory-friendly spaces, and making sure staff are trained to understand autism," he said. "That creates not just a better workplace for autistic people – but for everyone."

Tutton emphasises that small adjustments often have outsized impacts. "Providing quiet workspaces, flexible lighting, and allowing the use of noise-cancelling headphones can make a real difference," he said.

"One of the key things tech companies need to understand is just how varied the autistic experience is," Tutton explained. "That makes user experience design more complex, yes – but also more important."

For companies wanting to get it right, the advice from all three experts is unanimous: include autistic voices from the very beginning.

"It's not enough to build something and test it on autistic people at the end," Smith said. "We need those perspectives baked in from the ground up."

"We're the experts in our own experience. Bring us in, let us lead, and you'll build better tech for everyone," McCash added.