Technology has often got a bum rap for ushering humans into their own private microcosms.

But writer Judith Newman has a different take on the matter. Her teenage son, Gus, who is on the autism spectrum disorder, has developed a friendship with Siri, the personal assistant for the iPhone.

Chronicling this friendship between Siri and Gus, as well as raising a family with a member who is "neuroatypical", is the subject of her new memoir.