10 Ways You Can Design for Neurodivergent Minds
Throughout the history of mental health history, individuals have endured decades of mistreatment and misdiagnosis. What was once dismissed as "female hysteria" has evolved into recognized conditions like postpartum depression and anxiety disorders. Similarly, autism, once perceived as a disability affecting only young boys, is now acknowledged as a condition affecting individuals across gender, age, and race spectrums. Unfortunately, the medical community's focus on male children has overshadowed the diverse experiences of neurodivergent individuals, particularly women, adults of color, and anyone who learned to masked from a young age.
Many of us born between the 1940s and 2000s never received appropriate accommodations, and those who did, often young boys, may have undergone treatments like ABA therapy, which though aiming for conformity, could prove traumatic. By designing solely for neurotypical minds, we exclude the neurodiverse community. However, designing with neurodiversity in mind not only benefits those individuals but also enhances experiences for neurotypical individuals. So how can we do better?
Designing for neurodivergent minds requires empathy, understanding, and an inclusive approach. Here are 10 things to consider:
Embrace Diversity
Recognize that neurodiversity encompasses a wide range of cognitive styles, strengths, and challenges. Embrace this diversity and approach design with inclusivity in mind.
User-Centered Design
Prioritize user-centered design principles by involving individuals with neurodiverse traits in the design process from the outset. Their insights and feedback are invaluable for creating truly inclusive solutions.
Clear and Consistent Communication
Use clear and straightforward language in your designs to ensure that information is easily understood by individuals with diverse cognitive abilities. Consistency in layout and presentation can also enhance comprehension.
Sensory Considerations
Be mindful of sensory sensitivities. Minimize overwhelming stimuli by offering options to control brightness, noise levels, and visual clutter in digital interfaces and physical spaces.
Flexibility and Customization
Provide options for customization and personalization to accommodate varying preferences and needs. This could include adjustable settings for font size, color schemes, and interface layouts.
Visual Supports and Cues
Incorporate visual supports and cues such as icons, symbols, and visual schedules to aid understanding and navigation, particularly for individuals who benefit from visual learning methods.
Accessibility Features
Ensure that your designs adhere to accessibility standards and guidelines, including WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). Consider features like screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and alt text for images.
Multi-Sensory Design
Explore multi-sensory design approaches that engage different senses to convey information and create meaningful experiences. Incorporating tactile elements, sound cues, and interactive features can enhance accessibility for diverse users.
Empathy and Empowerment
Foster empathy among design teams by promoting understanding and awareness of neurodiverse perspectives. Empower individuals with neurodiverse traits by designing solutions that respect their autonomy and promote self-expression.
Continuous Feedback and Iteration
Engage in ongoing feedback loops and iterative design processes to refine and improve your designs based on user experiences and evolving insights. Embrace opportunities for learning and growth to create more inclusive and accessible solutions over time.
By embracing these ideas and adopting a proactive and empathetic approach to design, you can create environments, products, and experiences that celebrate neurodiversity and promote inclusivity for all individuals.
