Why Neurodiversity Exposes the Myth of the “Normal User”

We keep designing for a “normal” user.The problem is, that person does not exist.For neurodiverse people, that myth shows up early. In classrooms. In checklists. In systems that reward one way of thinking, one way of sitting still, one way of paying attention, one way of moving through the world.On this episode of Second Wind, Gully Flowers and Kerrie Finch talk with David Vogel, Executive Experience Director at Hypersolid, about neurodiversity, accessibility, AI, and the future of human-centered design.David argues that accessibility should not be treated as an edge case or a compliance layer. It should be foundational. Because once you stop designing for the fictional average person, you can start designing for actual humans.The conversation moves from ADHD and school systems to crash test dummies, smart workplaces, Google, Siemens, Lotus, and AI-powered customer experiences. It also gets into why ChatGPT is only the first crude interface for AI, why brands should be careful about handing their customer relationships to AI platforms, and how intelligent experiences could create more adaptive, personal, and useful interactions across digital and physical spaces.This is a conversation about neurodiversity, inclusive design, accessibility, AI strategy, personalization, brand experience, and the future of interfaces.In this episode, we coverHow neurodiversity reframes accessibilityWhy school can punish ADHD and neurodiverse peopleWhat crash test dummies reveal about designing for averagesWhy AI needs to move beyond the chatbotHow brands can use AI without surrendering customer relationshipsWhat intelligent experiences could mean for workplaces, retail, and personalizationGuest: David Vogel, Executive Experience Director at HypersolidHosts: Gully Flowers and Kerrie FinchPodcast: Second Wind