By Brett Whitmarsh | The AuDHD Boss
What if we had a translator for neurodivergent conversations to neurotypical brains—and vice versa?
In this blog, we explore that very possibility with Michael Daniel, the creator of the NeuroTranslator app, a new tool using AI to support communication between neurodivergent and neurotypical minds.
This blog is adapted from a two-hour interview between Brett (The AuDHD Boss) and Michael, lightly formatted for readability. All experiences are shared from lived perspectives and may not reflect every neurodivergent identity.
Why We Need a Translator for Neurodivergent Communication
Michael and I talk about how exhausting it can be to constantly decode social situations, especially for those of us with autism, ADHD, and related neurotypes. The NeuroTranslator app was created out of this very need—to bridge the communication divide.
Michael shares how it began with struggles in his personal life:
“I’d come out and say something I thought was neutral, but it hurt my wife’s feelings. When she explained, I totally got it—but I hadn’t seen it at the time. I needed something to help me translate in real time.”
Michael’s Late Diagnosis and Real-Life Challenges
Michael’s journey with autism and ADHD started with childhood misunderstandings, masking in school, and workplace burnout. It wasn’t until his daughter was diagnosed autistic at age two that things began to click.
“She’d do something, and my wife would be confused, but it felt familiar to me. That’s when I realized… she’s just like me.”
Books like Divergent Mind and Unmasking Autism led him to deeper self-understanding—and to the brutal reality of unmasking as an adult with a family.
From Miscommunication to AI Innovation
As communication trouble grew in his marriage, Michael turned to one of his special interests: Artificial Intelligence.
He built a personal AI assistant to analyze conversations between him and his wife, offering insights on how their neurotypes interpreted things differently.
Eventually, his wife noticed things getting “lighter” in their home—and the secret came out.
“She was using the app more than I was!”
What began as a private project quickly went viral when Michael released the app to Reddit—and within hours, it had hundreds of thousands of views and users worldwide.
What NeuroTranslator Can Do
- Helps decode neurotypical vs. neurodivergent communication
- Supports conversations between different neurotypes (ADHD, autistic, dyslexic, etc.)
- Allows both partners (or colleagues) to input their neurotype and relationship context
- Reduces emotional labor for those of us who are neurodivergent
- Supports people in burnout, nonverbal moments, and rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD)
Using NeuroTranslator in the Workplace
Michael and I both agree: the corporate world is full of communication landmines for neurodivergent professionals. The app is expanding to offer:
- Workplace communication support for neurodivergent employees
- Guidance for reasonable accommodations
- Tools for managers who suspect an employee might be neurodivergent but can’t legally ask
- Specific support for neurotypes with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), where micromanagement can trigger shutdowns
“Even just knowing that I prefer emails over phone calls could avoid a misunderstanding at work,” Michael explains.
Not a Replacement for Therapy—But a Valuable Companion
While Michael is clear that the app is not a substitute for therapy, it serves as a powerful tool for:
- Relationship communication
- Processing emotions before therapy sessions
- Finding words during burnout or overwhelm
- Exploring therapy options that are affirming to your neurotype
Try It for Yourself
The NeuroTranslator app is available on both iOS and Android, and it offers financial hardship pricing to make it more accessible to the neurodivergent community.
📲 Download the app: https://www.neurotranslator.ai
📚 Mentioned books: Divergent Mind: https://bookshop.org/a/108800/9780062876805
📚Unmasking Autism by Devon Price : https://bookshop.org/a/108800/9780593235232
📚 Unmasking for Life: https://bookshop.org/a/108800/9780593735756
📱 Follow Michael on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mickydaniel?_t=ZP-8vbF10HlKEJ&_r=1
Listen to more AuDHD Boss Podcast episodes: https://brettwhitmarsh.com/audhdboss-podcast/
Watch the full conversation on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_6jstQ4qa0
Final Thoughts
Michael’s app is more than a tech tool—it’s a lifeline for those of us who’ve spent a lifetime feeling misunderstood. Whether you’re navigating relationships, workplace dynamics, or your own unmasking journey, this app might be the bridge you’ve been looking for.
Have feedback on the app? Michael welcomes it. Your input helps him improve the AI for the entire neurodivergent community.
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