This puzzle can be solved like a normal crossword, except that four across clues (11, 12, 30, and 35) do not fit in the grid properly. Those entries, which are CARETAKER, HALF DOLLAR, BANGLADESH, and POUND CAKE, each contain the name of a symbol from the top row of a keyboard. Replacing the names of the symbols with the symbols themselves gives ^AKER, HALF$, !LADESH, and #CAKE. These shorter strings fit into the grid.
Since the symbols only exist as part of the across entries, they each conflict with a letter from a down entry. Reading those letters from top to bottom gives the answer RING.