{"id":939,"date":"2025-06-02T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.computercoursesonline.com\/?p=939"},"modified":"2025-06-05T21:15:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T21:15:06","slug":"designing-for-neurodiversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.computercoursesonline.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/02\/designing-for-neurodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Designing For Neurodiversity"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>              <title>Designing For Neurodiversity<\/title><\/p>\n<article>\n<header>\n<h1>Designing For Neurodiversity<\/h1>\n<address>Vitaly Friedman<\/address>\n<p>                  2025-06-02T08:00:00+00:00<br \/>\n                  2025-06-05T21:02:28+00:00<br \/>\n                <\/header>\n<p>This article is sponsored by <b>TetraLogical<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Neurodivergent needs are often considered as an edge case that doesn\u2019t fit into common user journeys or flows. Neurodiversity tends to get overlooked in the design process. Or it is tackled late in the process, and only if there is enough time.<\/p>\n<p>But <strong>people aren\u2019t edge cases<\/strong>. Every person is just a different person, performing tasks and navigating the web in a different way. So how can we design better, <strong>more inclusive experiences<\/strong> that cater to different needs and, ultimately, benefit everyone? Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"\n  \n  \n  \"><\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/neurodiversity.design\/\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"765\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Neurodiversity Design System\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/indysigner\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_80\/w_400\/https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/designing-for-neurodiversity\/1-neurodiversity-practical-guides.jpeg\"><\/p>\n<p>    <\/a><figcaption class=\"op-vertical-bottom\">\n      By considering neurodiversity early in the design process, we can create better experiences for everyone. (Image source: <a href=\"https:\/\/neurodiversity.design\/\">Neurodiversity Design System<\/a>) (<a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/designing-for-neurodiversity\/1-neurodiversity-practical-guides.jpeg\">Large preview<\/a>)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"neurodiversity-or-neurodivergent\">Neurodiversity Or Neurodivergent?<\/h2>\n<p>There is quite a bit of confusion about both terms on the web. Different people think and experience the world differently, and <strong>neurodiversity<\/strong> sees differences as natural variations, not deficits. It distinguishes between <strong>neurotypical<\/strong> and <strong>neurodivergent<\/strong> people.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Neurotypical<\/strong> people see the world in a \u201ctypical\u201d and widely perceived as expected way.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Neurodivergent<\/strong> people experience the world differently, for example, people with ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, synesthesia, and hyperlexia.<br \/>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>According to various sources, around <strong>15\u201340% of the population<\/strong> has neurodivergent traits. These traits can be innate (e.g., autism) or acquired (e.g., trauma). But they are always on a spectrum, and vary a lot. A person with <strong>autism is not neurodiverse<\/strong> &mdash; they are neurodivergent.<\/p>\n<p>One of the main strengths of neurodivergent people is how <strong>imaginative and creative<\/strong> they are, coming up with out-of-the-box ideas quickly. With exceptional levels of attention, strong long-term memory, a unique perspective, unbeatable accuracy, and a strong sense of justice and fairness.<\/p>\n<p>Being different in a world that, to some degree, still doesn\u2019t accept these differences is exhausting. So unsurprisingly, neurodivergent people often bring along determination, resilience, and <strong>high levels of empathy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"design-with-people-not-for-them\">Design With People, Not For Them<\/h2>\n<p>As a designer, I often see myself as a <strong>path-maker<\/strong>. I\u2019m designing reliable paths for people to navigate to their goals comfortably. Without being blocked. Or confused. Or locked out.<\/p>\n<p>That means respecting the simple fact that people\u2019s needs, tasks, and user journeys are all different, and that they evolve over time. And: most importantly, it means considering them very <strong>early in the process<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Better accessibility is better for everyone. Instead of making decisions that need to be reverted or refined to be compliant, we can bring a <strong>diverse group of people<\/strong> &mdash; with accessibility needs, with neurodiversity, frequent and infrequent users, experts, newcomers &mdash; in the process, and design with them, rather than for them.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"neurodiversity-amp-inclusive-design-resources\">Neurodiversity &amp; Inclusive Design Resources<\/h2>\n<p>A wonderful resource that helps us design for cognitive accessibility is St\u00e9phanie Walter\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/stephaniewalter.design\/blog\/neurodiversity-and-ux-essential-resources-for-cognitive-accessibility\/\"><strong>Neurodiversity and UX toolkit<\/strong><\/a>. It includes <strong>practical guidelines<\/strong>, tools, and resources to better understand and design for dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism, and ADHD.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"\n  \n    break-out article__image\n  \n  \n  \"><\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/stephaniewalter.design\/blog\/neurodiversity-and-ux-essential-resources-for-cognitive-accessibility\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"744\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Neurodiversity and UX: Essential Resources for Cognitive Accessibility\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/indysigner\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_80\/w_400\/https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/designing-for-neurodiversity\/2-neurodiversity-and-ux-essential-resources-for-cognitive-accessibility.png\"><\/p>\n<p>    <\/a><figcaption class=\"op-vertical-bottom\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/accessibility.blog.gov.uk\/2016\/09\/02\/dos-and-donts-on-designing-for-accessibility\/\">GOV.UK\u2019s posters<\/a> with accessibility dos and don\u2019ts are just one of the many useful resources you\u2019ll find in <a href=\"https:\/\/stephaniewalter.design\/blog\/neurodiversity-and-ux-essential-resources-for-cognitive-accessibility\/\">St\u00e9phanie Walter\u2019s collection<\/a>. (<a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/designing-for-neurodiversity\/2-neurodiversity-and-ux-essential-resources-for-cognitive-accessibility.png\">Large preview<\/a>)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Another fantastic resource is Will Soward\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/neurodiversity.design\/\"><strong>Neurodiversity Design System<\/strong><\/a>. It combines neurodiversity and user experience design into a set of design standards and principles that you can use to design accessible learning interfaces.<\/p>\n<p>Last but not least, I\u2019ve been putting together a few summaries about <strong>neurodiversity and inclusive design<\/strong> over the last few years, so you might find them helpful, too:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-accessibility-activity-7188133636985028608-JEtj\/\">ADHD<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-design-accessibility-activity-7099294629887397888-L1d0\/\">Autism<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-design-activity-7156651715486732288-RvW7\/\">Children<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-design-accessibility-activity-7087333591906430976-PHsN\">Colorblindness<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-accessibility-activity-7178702360649547778-4JtQ\">Deafness<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-design-accessibility-activity-7111249864855810048-5qup\">Dyscalculia<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-design-accessibility-activity-7079355423534784512-3R4C\">Dyslexia<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-design-typography-activity-7095664890727526400-ECAH\">Legibility<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-design-activity-7132292750355378176-ZMkL\">Left-Handed Users<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-design-designpatterns-activity-7088778491109720064-im2_\">Mental Health<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-design-learning-activity-7105272692919914496-Q2-y\/\">Motivation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-design-accessibility-activity-7089866429016989696-JRAq\">Older Adults<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_how-screen-readers-work-and-how-activity-7130472748371341312-i0PW\">Screen Readers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vitalyfriedman_ux-design-activity-7160904166075232256-mNMc\">Teenagers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A huge thank-you to everyone who has been writing, speaking, and sharing articles, resources, and toolkits on designing for diversity. The topic is often forgotten and overlooked, but it has an incredible impact. \ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffc\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffe<\/p>\n<div class=\"signature\">\n  <img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Smashing Editorial\" width=\"35\" height=\"46\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.smashingmagazine.com\/images\/logo\/logo--red.png\"><br \/>\n  <span>(vf, il, yk)<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Designing For Neurodiversity Designing For Neurodiversity Vitaly Friedman 2025-06-02T08:00:00+00:00 2025-06-05T21:02:28+00:00 This article is sponsored by TetraLogical Neurodivergent needs are often considered as an edge case that doesn\u2019t fit into common user journeys or flows. Neurodiversity tends to get overlooked in the design process. Or it is tackled late in the process, and only if there&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.computercoursesonline.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/939"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.computercoursesonline.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.computercoursesonline.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.computercoursesonline.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.computercoursesonline.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=939"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.computercoursesonline.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/939\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":940,"href":"http:\/\/www.computercoursesonline.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/939\/revisions\/940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.computercoursesonline.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.computercoursesonline.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.computercoursesonline.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}