What AI can teach us about Neurodiverse Communication

The visibility of neurodiversity is on the rise, and its impact on education is becoming increasingly significant. As awareness grows, educational institutions are recognising the importance of accommodating and supporting neurodiverse students, who bring unique perspectives and strengths to the learning environment. Neurodiversity encompasses a range of neurological conditions, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. As diagnostic practices improve, more students are being identified as neurodiverse, leading to a greater need for inclusive educational practices. This shift is crucial for creating environments where all students can thrive.

A study¹ highlights that communication with university staff is one of the highest stress-inducing factors in students' lives. This is particularly true for neurodiverse students, who often struggle with emotional regulation. Traditional teaching methods and environments can exacerbate these challenges, making it vital for educators to adapt their approaches.

Many initiatives at BUas are addressing the topic of neurodiversity, and significant progress is being made. However…

…I would like to invite you on a brief journey to explore an intriguing observation about AI interaction and the valuable lessons it offers for improving our own communication.

Neurodiversity indeed plays a significant role in how individuals interact with AI tools. Neurodiverse individuals, such as those with autism, ADHD, or dyslexia, often have unique cognitive strategies that can make them particularly adept at using and understanding AI systems. This can be compared to the way neurotypical and neurodiverse people sometimes struggle to understand each other due to their different ways of thinking and processing information. For instance, neurodiverse individuals might excel at identifying patterns or thinking outside the box, which are valuable skills when working with Artificial IntelIigence. This ability to approach problems from unique perspectives can lead to more innovative solutions. 

It's crucial to approach this topic with sensitivity and avoid reinforcing stereotypes. While neurodiverse individuals may have unique cognitive strengths that can make them adept at using AI tools, it's important to emphasise that these strengths are part of their human diversity and not akin to machine-like thinking. Neurodiverse individuals often bring creativity, empathy, and innovative problem-solving skills to their interactions with Artificial Intelligence. These qualities are far from rigid or mechanical; they reflect the rich and varied ways in which human minds can operate. For example, someone with ADHD might excel in dynamic environments and think quickly on their feet, while a person with autism might have a keen eye for detail and patterns. 

Reflecting on communication with AI models can indeed offer neurotypical users valuable insights into improving their interactions with neurodiverse individuals. AI models often require clear, concise, and unambiguous instructions to perform effectively. This mirrors the communication preferences of many neurodiverse individuals, who may find straightforward and explicit language easier to understand. By practising this type of communication with AI, neurotypical users can develop habits that enhance their interactions with neurodiverse people, while also getting better results from your preferred LLM.

For example, neurotypical users might learn to:

• Avoid ambiguity
  AI models struggle with vague or ambiguous instructions, much like some neurodiverse individuals. Using precise language can reduce misunderstandings.
   
• Be patient and attentive
  Effective communication with AI often involves careful consideration of responses and adjustments to prompts. This patience and attentiveness can translate into more empathetic and supportive interactions with neurodiverse individuals. 
   
• Embrace diverse perspectives
  AI models can offer varied responses based on different inputs. This can encourage neurotypical users to appreciate and adapt to the diverse ways neurodiverse individuals process information and express themselves. 

By reflecting on these aspects of AI communication, neurotypical users can inadvertently develop skills that foster better understanding and connection with neurodiverse individuals.

The 80/20 and 20/80 concept

The 80/20 and 20/80 concept in neurodiversity highlights differences in communication styles between neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals. This idea suggests that neurotypical people often use about 80% of their words as filler or social niceties, with only 20% being direct and factual. In contrast, neurodiverse individuals, such as those with autism or ADHD, might use 20% of their words as filler and 80% as direct and to the point. This concept underscores the efficiency and clarity that neurodiverse individuals often bring to communication. They tend to prioritise conveying essential information over social pleasantries, which can sometimes be perceived as blunt or overly direct by neurotypical standards. However, this directness can be highly effective in many contexts, especially in environments that value clear and concise communication.

In the context of the 80/20 and 20/80 communication concept, it's important to understand the strategy of ’masking’, which many neurodiverse individuals employ to navigate interactions with neurotypical people. Masking involves suppressing or camouflaging neurodivergent traits, behaviours, or needs to fit into a neurotypical social environment. Masking can take various forms, such as rehearsing conversations, suppressing natural behaviours, mirroring gestures, maintaining eye contact, and faking social interests. While masking can help neurodiverse individuals navigate social situations, it comes at a significant cost. Constant masking is incredibly exhausting and can be dangerous for an individual's health in the long run. Emotional and physical exhaustion, mental health struggles, loss of authentic self, and delayed recognition of burnout are some of the consequences. It is therefore vital for educators, employers, and society at large to recognise the challenges of masking and create environments that encourage authenticity. By fostering inclusive and supportive spaces, we can reduce the need for neurodiverse individuals to mask their true selves and promote their well-being. 

It's important to note that this is a generalisation and not a strict rule. Communication styles can vary widely within both neurotypical and neurodiverse populations. The key takeaway is to appreciate and adapt to these differences, fostering better understanding and collaboration. 

Reflecting on the 80/20 and 20/80 concept in relation to how we communicate with AI can provide valuable insights into optimising our interactions with these systems. When communicating with AI, clarity and conciseness are crucial. AI models, like GPT-4, perform best when given direct and unambiguous instructions. This aligns more closely with the 20/80 communication style.

Here’s how this concept applies: 

• Efficiency in communication
  Just as neurodiverse individuals often prioritise direct and factual communication, effective AI interactions require minimising filler and focusing on clear, specific instructions. This helps the AI understand and respond accurately.
   
• Reducing ambiguity
  Neurotypical communication often includes social niceties and indirect language, which can introduce ambiguity. AI models can struggle with this, leading to less accurate responses. By adopting a more direct communication style (akin to the 20/80 approach), users can improve the quality of AI interactions. 
   
• Learning from AI
  Neurotypical users can learn from their interactions with AI to be more concise and clearer in their everyday communication. This practice can help in better understanding and interacting with neurodiverse individuals, who may prefer straightforward communication, while also recognising that the need for different communication styles with AI can also foster greater empathy and adaptability in human interactions. By practising clear and direct communication with AI, users can become more adept at adjusting their communication style to suit the preferences of neurodiverse individuals.

Neurodiversity, much like AI, is a multifaceted and complex topic. Both fields encompass a wide range of experiences, challenges, and opportunities that are continually evolving. As we strive to understand and work better together, it's important to recognise that this article only scratches the surface of the major challenge in understanding AI and neurodiversity. However, acknowledging this complexity is the first step towards a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse perspectives and capabilities they bring.

In conclusion, by learning how to prompt AI better, you are also potentially learning how to communicate more effectively with your neurodiverse surroundings. This process, even if only a little bit at a time, can lead to significant improvements in understanding and connection, simultaneously enhancing your interactions with AI and fostering better communication with neurodiverse individuals.

Thank you for joining me on this exploration. Let's continue to learn, adapt, and grow together. 


¹ Cage E, Troxell-Whitman Z. Understanding the Reasons, Contexts and Costs of Camouflaging for Autistic Adults. J Autism Dev Disord. 2019 May;49(5):1899-1911. doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-03878-x. PMID: 30627892; PMCID: PMC6483965.