How to Make a Website Neurodivergent Friendly

Did you know that approximately 15-20% of the global population show signs of neurodivergence, including individuals with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and more? Yet many digital spaces fail to meet their needs, creating unnecessary barriers and here at Extramile, we think it’s time to change that.

As UX designers, web developers and content creators, we all have a responsibility to pave the way for accessibility and inclusivity in the digital space. After all, not only does neurodivergent-friendly design increase satisfaction for users, it also has the added benefit of expanding your reach, by making your content more accessible to a wider audience. It is literally a win for everyone.

What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity encompasses the natural variations in human thinking and neurological function. It includes conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and more.

Thanks to a growing social awareness of these conditions, no longer are these differences seen as deficits, neurodiversity is now celebrated, encouraging society to reframe its attitude towards accessibility, recognising that neurodivergent individuals may require accommodations in certain environments to thrive.

What Challenges Do Neurodivergent Users Face Online?

Navigating the web shouldn’t feel like an uphill battle, but for neurodivergent individuals, it often is. Sensory, cognitive and motor challenges can turn digital spaces into overwhelming and inaccessible environments, making it harder for millions to engage, connect and complete everyday tasks online.

• Sensory Overload

Bright colours, flashing images or auto-playing videos can be overwhelming for those with sensory sensitivities, often leading to stress, anxiety or the need to disengage entirely. Simple choices like muted colours, reduced animations and user-controlled media playback can make a huge difference.  

• Cognitive Overload

Cluttered pages, complex layouts and too much information crammed into one space can overwhelm users, making it difficult to focus, process information and complete tasks. Clean, intuitive designs that prioritise clarity and simplicity are key to avoiding this issue.  

• Navigational Barriers

Poorly structured websites with inconsistent menus, unclear pathways or lack of organisation can confuse users, especially those with executive functioning challenges. Thoughtfully designed navigation systems, clear labelling and logical structures help guide users effectively through your site.  

• Readability Issues

Low-contrast text, dense paragraphs or inaccessible fonts can frustrate users with dyslexia, low vision or other reading difficulties. Offering customisable text options, high contrast and readable fonts ensures everyone can engage with your content comfortably.

With mindful and inclusive design, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities to create digital spaces that are accessible, welcoming and empowering for everyone. Every design decision you make, whether it’s simplifying layouts, improving navigation or enhancing readability has the potential to open doors, build trust and inspire confidence.

Designing Websites for Neurodiversity

Shannon Wright, our Lead Designer at Extramile has shared the following key design principles for creating neurodivergent-friendly websites:

1. Avoid Clutter  

Use a minimalistic design with plenty of white space. A cluttered interface can overwhelm individuals with ADHD or other cognitive differences. It’s also just best practice!  

2. High Contrast  

Use high contrast between text and backgrounds to improve readability for individuals with visual processing difficulties or dyslexia.  

3. Test for Colourblindness  

Use tools like colour contrast checkers (such as Stark) to ensure your website is accessible to people with colour vision deficiencies. Make sure key elements like buttons are distinguishable without relying solely on colour.  

4. Simple and Direct Language  

Use plain language and avoid overly complicated text. This helps individuals with ADHD, autism or dyslexia who may struggle with processing dense, technical or abstract information.  

5. Limit Flashing or Rapid Movement  

Rapid animations, flashing or auto-playing videos can be disorienting or even trigger seizures for individuals with epilepsy. Minimise these elements. Bonus fact – reducing these elements also improves website performance!  

6. Avoid Italics  

Italicised text can be harder to read for neurodiverse individuals. Stick to normal or bold fonts for emphasis.

Why Choose Inclusive Design?

Following on from her guidance laid out above, Shannon sums it up perfectly:
“Designing for neurodiversity is all about keeping things clear, simple and flexible. Focus on easy navigation, good contrast, readable fonts and giving users control over things like audio and text size. Make sure your site or graphics don’t overwhelm the senses, and try to offer different ways of accessing info, like text-to-speech or captions. The key is making it feel intuitive and comfortable for everyone.”

At Extramile Digital, we develop custom-built websites that excite, entertain and engage, all while adhering to inclusive design principles. Explore our web design services.

Technical Steps for Implementation

Semantic HTML  

Use HTML tags properly to enable assistive technologies like screen readers to interpret your site accurately. Ensure ARIA attributes are applied correctly to improve accessibility for users with disabilities.  

Responsive Design  

Design websites that adapt seamlessly to all screen sizes. A responsive layout ensures accessibility whether the user is on a desktop, tablet or smartphone.  

Optimise Performance  

Slow websites can frustrate users. Optimise images, compress files and remove unnecessary scripts to ensure snappy page load speeds. 

Take the Next Step Towards Accessibility

Inclusive web design benefits everyone, including neurodiverse users. It ensures that your website is accessible, easy to navigate and enjoyable for people with a wide range of abilities and preferences.

By implementing these practices, you’ll improve your site’s overall usability, boost user satisfaction and create a welcoming space for a diverse audience.

Need help making your website neurodivergent-friendly and accessible to all? Contact our team today for strategy-led web design tailored to your needs.