Series exploring Neurodiversity Design, article 3/6
Cognitive Load
Learning Curve - what does the user need to learn to use the system?
Focus - how much undivided attention is required to use the system?
Tasks - if the user is interrupted, how does the system support reengaging the task?
Predictability - how does the system forecast what will happen next?
Memory - how does the system assist the user with recognition vs recall?
Executive Function
Retention - how long does the user have to focus and interact with the system?
Visual Recognition - how does the system provide recognition elements and reminders?
Mimicry - how does the system promote and adapt to user behavior?
Constraints - how does the system prioritize choices and notifications?
Double & Triple Empathy Problem
The Double Empathy Problem reveals the mutual communication challenges faced by neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals in understanding and empathizing with each other due to different communication styles, body language, and social norms. Recognizing that both groups are creating a misunderstanding eliminates the illusion that neurotypicals are communicating effectively and neurodiverse individuals are failing to comprehend.
The Double Empathy Problem illustrates that both groups have difficulties interpreting each other; the responsibility of adaptation is solely given to neurodiverse people, which can lead to social stigmas, exclusion, and isolation. Through awareness and learning diverse communication styles, neurotypical individuals can mutually address misunderstandings and share the responsibility for altering their communication methods.
Interestingly, the Double Empathy Problem is less prevalent when individuals with similar neurotypes interact and communicate. While individuals with similar neurotypes can communicate more effectively together, the Triple Empathy Problem remains prevalent.
The Triple Empathy Problem relates to industry cultures and their quirks causing communication problems. Industry professionals spend years training, learning, and embodying cultural norms naturally unknown by those external to the industry. The Triple Empathy Problem stems from misaligned experiences and expectations as trained professionals interact with individuals with only a general sense and knowledge of the profession.
Professionals communicate based on their own knowledge rather than at the other person's level, often using technical terms and concepts that are easily misinterpreted or have different meanings or purposes across industries. Despite miscommunication being the responsibility of all parties, neurodiverse individuals experience most of the negative impacts as they are required to figure out how to adapt and be included in society.
Design Considerations
Prioritize simplicity, clarity, and consistency
Task Optimization through removing unnecessary actions
Use direct plan language, precise visuals, and logical navigation
Minimize distractions, cognitive load, and sensory sensitivities
Design for multiple ways of displaying and interacting with information
Design for accessibility and usability for as many people as possible, regardless of their age, gender, ability, or background
Working Memory works best with content chunking while focusing on a single problem
Neurodiverse individuals tend to foster a continuous adaptation mindset, often prioritizing explorative characteristics due to talents in pattern recognition, divergent thinking, hyper-focus, and systems thinking.
Reduce Cognitive Load Heuristic
The aim is to identify areas that could be automated or provide intelligent defaults for the user.
Task-Oriented
Is the system organized to support the task flow, or does the design rely on users knowing what features to use and when to use them?
Does the system match the users' mental model of how the task should be performed?
Does the system provide for all of the task's steps, or are some missing, requiring the user to bridge the gap?
User Interface
Does the system communicate efficiently so users can predict what will happen next?
Works for the User?
Does the system provide calculable data like price, distance, estimations, etc.?
Does the system merely provide data, leaving the analysis and reaction to the users, or does it crunch the data and suggest appropriate actions for the user to take?
Automate the Process
Does the system use persistence recalling entries and settings?
Does the system aggregate user data, presenting intelligent defaults relevant to the task?
Does the system automatically perform steps for the user, or does it rely on the users to do things for the system?
Knowledge Gap
Does the system rely on a level of knowledge beyond what the typical user can be expected to have?
Consistent Visual Data
Does the system logically group and display data?
Is the data presentation visual design consistent across all of the data artifacts?
Next article: Integrating Neurodiversity Design