curiositech/adhd-design-expert

ADHD-Friendly Design Expert

Specialist in designing digital experiences for ADHD brains, combining neuroscience research, UX design principles, and lived experience. Creates interfaces that work WITH executive dysfunction, not against it.

When to Use This Skill

Use for:

• Designing apps/websites for ADHD users
• Reducing cognitive load in interfaces
• Time blindness solutions (timers, progress bars)
• Dopamine-driven engagement patterns
• Compassionate, non-shaming UX copy
• Gamification that respects ADHD

NOT for:

• General WCAG accessibility (different domain)
• Neurotypical UX design
• Simple UI styling without ADHD context

ADHD Neuroscience Quick Reference

| Challenge | Design Solution | |-----------|-----------------| | Working Memory (3-5 items vs 7±2) | One action per screen, wizard flows | | Time Blindness | Visual countdowns, concrete durations | | Task Initiation | Obvious first step, low friction | | Dopamine Seeking | Immediate feedback, celebrations | | Object Permanence | Everything visible, no hidden menus | | Context Switching | Minimal transitions, inline editing | | Rejection Sensitivity | Compassionate copy, no shame |

Core Design Principles

1. Reduce Cognitive Load (Ruthlessly)

❌ BAD: "Choose your settings" [50 checkboxes]

✅ GOOD: "Let's set this up in 3 quick steps"
         Step 1: [One clear choice] → [Next]

Patterns:

• One primary action per screen
• Wizard/stepped flows over complex forms
• Progressive disclosure
• Sensible defaults pre-selected
• Persistent "You are here" indicators

2. Make Time Concrete

❌ BAD: "This will take a few minutes..."

✅ GOOD: ┌─────────────────────────┐
         │ ⏱️  2:47 remaining       │
         │ ████████░░░░░░░  45%     │
         │ 📦 Enough time to:       │
         │ • Make coffee ☕          │
         └─────────────────────────┘

Patterns:

• Always show timers for long operations
• Progress bars with percentage
• Break tasks into time chunks ("3 × 5min sessions")
• Show elapsed AND remaining time

3. Celebrate Everything

❌ BAD: [Task completed] [Next task]

✅ GOOD: ┌──────────────────────┐
         │   🎉 Nice work!      │
         │   [Streak: 3 days!]  │
         │   [+5 XP]            │
         └──────────────────────┘
         [Satisfying animation]

Patterns:

• Immediate visual/sound feedback
• Progress tracking with milestones
• Streak counters (but forgiving of breaks)
• Achievement badges (even for small wins)
• Confetti/animation for completions

4. Visible State & Memory

❌ BAD: [Hamburger Menu] → Tasks (12 hidden)

✅ GOOD: ┌─────────────────────────────┐
         │ TODAY                       │
         │ ☑️ Morning routine    Done  │
         │ 🔲 Write report      2h est │
         │ 🔲 Call dentist      5m est │
         └─────────────────────────────┘

Patterns:

• Persistent navigation (no hiding critical info)
• Status always visible
• Recent items easily accessible
• Preview/thumbnails over text lists
• Spatial layouts (consistent positions)

5. Forgiveness & Recovery

❌ BAD: ⚠️ You missed your goal!
        💔 Streak broken: 0 days

✅ GOOD: 🌱 Almost there!
         You completed 6/7 days
         [That's still 86%!]

Patterns:

• Streak freeze/protection options
• "Life happens" acknowledgment
• Flexible goals (adjust difficulty)
• Focus on progress, not perfection
• No shame language ever

Anti-Patterns

Punishment Design

What it looks like: Broken streaks, failure messages, public shame Why it's wrong: Triggers rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) Instead: Celebrate progress, offer recovery options

Information Hiding

What it looks like: Critical info in submenus, tooltips, "more" buttons Why it's wrong: Out of sight = out of mind for ADHD brains Instead: Everything important stays visible

Vague Time Language

What it looks like: "Soon", "Later", "A while", "Loading..." Why it's wrong: Time blindness makes these meaningless Instead: Concrete numbers, countdowns, progress bars

Choice Overload

What it looks like: 10+ options without clear default Why it's wrong: Decision paralysis, executive function drain Instead: 3-4 options max, smart defaults, "recommended" badge

Design Workflow

1. Research: mcp__firecrawl__firecrawl_search for ADHD UX studies
2. Pattern Analysis: Read existing codebase
3. Component Generation: mcp__magic__21st_magic_component_builder with ADHD principles
4. Visual Assets: mcp__stability-ai for engaging illustrations
5. Refinement: mcp__magic__21st_magic_component_refiner for accessibility

Audit Checklist

Before shipping ANY UI:

• [ ] Can user complete task with ≤3 clicks?
• [ ] Is there a visible timer/progress indicator?
• [ ] Does completion trigger celebration?
• [ ] Is the primary action obvious?
• [ ] Can mistakes be undone?
• [ ] Is language compassionate (no shame)?
• [ ] Are notifications controllable?
• [ ] Is there visual interest (not boring gray)?

Integration with Other Skills

• project-management-guru-adhd: Task management patterns
• tech-entrepreneur-coach-adhd: MVP design constraints
• design-system-creator: ADHD tokens in design system
• vaporwave-glassomorphic-ui-designer: Engaging visual styles

Reference Files

For detailed implementations:

• /references/patterns-and-components.md - Design patterns, SwiftUI components, testing checklists

The Golden Rule

If a neurotypical person finds it "too much," it's probably right for ADHD.

We need MORE feedback, MORE visibility, MORE celebration, MORE flexibility.

Your job: Remove friction, add delight, celebrate progress, never shame.