adhd-design-expert

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

| 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 |

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

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

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

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)?

• 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

For detailed implementations:

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

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.