Co-designing Assistive Technologies for ADHD: Moving Beyond Deficit Framing
Technologies designed for individuals with ADHD often frame their experiences as deficits to be mitigated, rather than leveraging neurodivergent strengths, and rarely involve users in the co-creation process.
CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · 2022
Key Findings
- 01Technologies for ADHD are predominantly designed to 'mitigate' behaviours perceived as disruptive to neurotypical standards.
- 02Little HCI research actively invites individuals with ADHD to co-construct technologies or to utilize their neurodivergent experiences in shaping research aims.
- 03Instances of participant resistance to deficit-based framing can be observed within researchers' own accounts of participant actions.
Application
Design takeaway
Shift from designing 'for' neurodivergent individuals to designing 'with' them, focusing on their unique strengths and perspectives rather than solely on perceived limitations.
How to apply
When designing any technology for a specific user group, especially those with diverse cognitive styles, actively seek out and integrate their lived experiences and perspectives throughout the entire design lifecycle, from initial concept to final testing.
Project actions
- 01If your design project involves a specific user group, especially one with diverse needs, consider how you are framing their challenges and strengths.
- 02Explore methods for genuine co-design and user involvement beyond simple feedback sessions.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a critical perspective from within the neurodivergent community.
- +Identifies a significant gap in current research and design practices for assistive technologies.
Limitations
The findings are based on a review of existing literature, which may not capture all aspects of technology design for ADHD. The interpretation from an 'insider perspective' is inherently subjective.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the findings depends on the thoroughness of the literature review and the consistent application of the critical analysis framework. Validity is enhanced by the insider perspective but could be strengthened by triangulation with external expert reviews.
Think critically
To what extent does the 'insider perspective' of the researchers introduce bias, and how can this be mitigated in future research?
Design Principles
"Embrace neurodiversity as a source of innovation and strength in the design process, rather than a set of challenges to be overcome."
This research highlights a critical gap in the design of assistive technologies. By failing to involve the target user group in the design and research process, and by adopting a deficit-based perspective, designers risk creating solutions that are ineffective, alienating, or even counterproductive. A shift towards inclusive, strength-based co-design is essential for developing truly beneficial technologies.
What This Means for Your Design
When you design things for people with ADHD, don't just try to 'fix' them. Ask them what they need and how they see things, and work together to create solutions that use their unique abilities.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user involvement and the potential pitfalls of deficit-based design in your design project's research or evaluation sections.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2022). ADHD and Technology Research – Investigated by Neurodivergent Readers. CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.3517592 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/bd7ef6bb-c38d-4968-8607-ffd719a9edb0/co-designing-assistive-technologies-for-adhd-moving-beyond-deficit-framing
Paragraph starter
This research highlights a critical issue in the design of assistive technologies for neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD. The authors found that technologies are often developed with a 'deficit frame,' aiming to mitigate behaviours seen as problematic by neurotypical standards, rather than leveraging neurodivergent strengths. Furthermore, the research process frequently lacks genuine co-creation with the target users. This suggests that for effective and ethical design, practitioners must actively involve users as partners in the design and research process, shifting focus from remediation to empowerment and celebrating diverse cognitive styles.
Source
CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
ADHD and Technology Research – Investigated by Neurodivergent Readers
journal · 2022
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about co-designing assistive technologies for adhd: moving beyond deficit framing?
- Shift from designing 'for' neurodivergent individuals to designing 'with' them, focusing on their unique strengths and perspectives rather than solely on perceived limitations. Evidence: CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (2022).
- Why does "Co-designing Assistive Technologies for ADHD: Moving Beyond Deficit Framing" matter for design?
- This research highlights a critical gap in the design of assistive technologies. By failing to involve the target user group in the design and research process, and by adopting a deficit-based perspective, designers risk creating solutions that are ineffective, alienating, or even counterproductive. A shift towards inclusive, strength-based co-design is essential for developing truly beneficial technologies.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Shift from designing 'for' neurodivergent individuals to designing 'with' them, focusing on their unique strengths and perspectives rather than solely on perceived limitations.
- What were the main findings?
- Technologies for ADHD are predominantly designed to 'mitigate' behaviours perceived as disruptive to neurotypical standards.. Little HCI research actively invites individuals with ADHD to co-construct technologies or to utilize their neurodivergent experiences in shaping research aims.. Instances of participant resistance to deficit-based framing can be observed within researchers' own accounts of participant actions.
- What research method was used?
- Critical literature review and insider perspective analysis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2022 journal from CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing any technology for a specific user group, especially those with diverse cognitive styles, actively seek out and integrate their lived experiences and perspectives throughout the entire design lifecycle, from initial concept to final testing.
- What are the limitations?
- The review is limited to published HCI and computing research, potentially excluding other relevant domains or informal design practices. The 'insider perspective' while valuable, is also subjective.
- Is there evidence that assistive technologies affects design outcomes?
- Current technologies for ADHD focus on fixing perceived problems rather than building on user strengths, and the users themselves are often not involved in the design process. This research highlights a critical gap in the design of assistive technologies. By failing to involve the target user group in the design and r Source: CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (2022).
- Where does this technologies adhd research apply?
- Assistive technology design for neurodivergent individuals, specifically ADHD, within computing and HCI research. It sits within user-centred design research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
assistive technologies design research · evidence on assistive technologies · does assistive technologies improve design outcomes · technologies adhd studies for designers · assistive technologies and technologies adhd findings · user-centred design research evidence