Neurodiversity & UX Design
Neurodiversity has been a growing topic. Last year I already noticed an uptake in interest in neurodiversity among UX designers breaking into web accessibility. Might also just be a phenomenon in my own bubble because I have a background in UX Design and my LinkedIn feed reflects that. But surprise, surprise! Accessibility considerations for atypical neurotypes are mostly UX issues:
choice of colors
control over animations
language used in content…
There's more to designing for neurodiversity and neuroinclusion than stop-motion buttons and a black and white mode.
Neurodiversity as a Soft Introduction to Disability
Plus, it’s an easy entry point: Neurodivergence can be a very “palatable” disability. But to say it in UX lingo: It depends tho.
invisible but still an expected “Look”
There’s a person who looks like me, but the way they experience everyday life is vastly different from my own lived experience?
Neurodivergence is considered an invisible disability that manifests in different user needs and behaviors. UX Designers are all about the experience so that premise is one fascinating rabbit hole to go down!
Generally speaking, neurodivergence is an invisible disability. Yet most people have a preset stereotype in mind, predominantly of what AD(H)D and Autism "look like”. Don’t take it from me, take it from the punchlines neurodivergent creators make in response to the infamous “but you don’t look autistic” line.
Media representation
Media representation has subconsciously created a certain “look” for neurodivergence. Although improving nowadays, generations have been shaped by 2 dominant archetypes (get your bingo cards ready):
ADHD gets the quirky best friend of the main character, who dresses in eccentric clothing and seems to start a new hobby each episode.
Autism gets the social recluse with savant syndrome, usually a teenage boy if the character is supposed to be likable, or an adult if the social communication problems are supposed to be the punchline.
Luckily, these days that would be considered lazy writing. But they are still reigning sovereignly in many people’s unconsciousness.
The Forgotten Ones
ADHD and Autism are far from the only neurodevelopmental disabilities, disorders, or conditions. Starting with the Dys-Gang, there are also:
Dyscalculia: A specific learning disability with an impairment in mathematics, which can affect calculations, problem-solving, or both. It impacts all sorts of numerical tasks. An estimated 4-7% of students have dyscalculia, so a teacher can expect to have one or two students per class. (Learning Disabilities Association of America)
Dyslexia: Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge. (International Dyslexia Association) It is very common, affecting 20 percent of the population and representing 80– 90 percent of all those with learning disabilities. (Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity)
Dysgraphia: Dysgraphia is the condition of impaired letter writing by hand. Impaired handwriting can interfere with learning to spell words in writing andthe speed of writing text. (International Dyslexia Association)
Dyspraxia: Also known as developmental coordination disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that begins in childhood and makes it difficult to perform motor skills. It also causes issues with coordination. (Cleveland Clinic)
But there are even more standing under the Neurodiversity umbrella:
Tourettes: Characterized by sudden, involuntary movements and/or sounds called tics. Tics can range from mild/inconsequential to moderate and severe and are disabling in some cases. (Tourette Association of America)
Epilepsie: The fourth most common neurological disorder in the world. If you have epilepsy, surges of electrical activity in your brain can cause recurring seizures (Epilepsie Foundation)
Aquired Neurodivergence: such as traumatic brain injury, post-stroke cognitive and communication difficulties, mental health conditions, dementia, Alzheimer’s, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and more. (Therapist Neurodiversity Collective)
And not to forget: Many neurodivergent individuals are not necessarily aware of it themselves. A medical diagnosis often entails long waiting lists, costs, and of course the stigma of being labeled as different from mainstream society. Stereotyped Media representations also don’t help with that.
Neurodivergent individuals often go undiagnosed until well into adulthood, if their neurodivergence doesn’t impact others negatively. Negative impact or disruptive behavior is still a widely considered requirement when it comes to diagnosis.
But even if they have a diagnosis, how would you know? Have you ever seen a sign-up flow that asked you to input your neurotype? This is simply information that no company collects about its user base. (And that’s a good thing! Let’s keep it that way!)
