| created | 2025-11-02T22:59 |
|---|---|
| updated | 2025-11-10T18:00 |
Create ADHD-friendly visual organizational tools using Mermaid diagrams with adaptive cognitive modes and accessibility features.
- Generalized Examples: Replaced context-specific examples with universal decision-making patterns for broader applicability
- Accessibility Modes: Colorblind-safe and monochrome modes for inclusive design
- URL Encoding Fix: Proper handling of HTML entities in Mermaid playground links
- Base Modes: Neurotypical or Neurodivergent cognitive styles
- Accessibility Modes: Optional colorblind-safe or monochrome overlays
- Auto-Detection: Analyzes language for optimal mode selection
- Configuration Support: Personalize defaults via YAML config
- Neurotypical: 5-7 chunks, standard times, efficient layout
- Neurodivergent: 3-5 chunks, buffered times, compassionate language
- Mode-specific color schemes and energy scaffolding
- Colorblind-Safe: Pattern-based differentiation for all color vision types
- Monochrome: Print-optimized B&W designs for e-ink displays
- WCAG Compliance: Meets accessibility standards
- Inclusive Design
- Neurotypical users benefit during stress/burnout
- Teams can use same tool with different modes
- Educational: demonstrates cognitive accessibility
- Backward compatible (defaults to neurodivergent)
| Need | Recommended Mode |
|---|---|
| Personal task overwhelm | Neurodivergent (auto-detects) |
| Team presentation | Neurotypical (request explicitly) |
| Executive dysfunction support | Neurodivergent |
| Standard project planning | Neurotypical |
| Mixed team collaboration | Auto-detect (adapts per person) |
| Stress/burnout (any neurotype) | Neurodivergent |
In Claude Code, run:
/plugin marketplace add JackReis/neurodivergent-visual-org
Then browse and install via the /plugin menu.
cd ~/.claude/plugins/
git clone https://github.com/JackReis/neurodivergent-visual-org.gitRestart Claude Code.
- Download the latest release from GitHub
- Extract to
~/.claude/plugins/neurodivergent-visual-org/ - Restart Claude Code
- Locate your skills directory (usually
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/skills/user/) - Copy the
skills/neurodivergent-visual-org/folder to:~/Library/Application Support/Claude/skills/user/neurodivergent-visual-org/
- Restart Claude.ai Desktop app
The skill automatically chooses the best mode based on your language:
- Distress signals → Neurodivergent mode
- Straightforward requests → Neurotypical mode
- Ambiguous → Neurodivergent mode (inclusive default)
In conversation:
"Use neurotypical mode for this diagram"
"Switch to ADHD mode"
"Make it more detailed" (switches to neurodivergent)
"Make it more compact" (switches to neurotypical)
Create: .claude/neurodivergent-visual-org-preference.yml
mode: auto-detect # Options: neurotypical, neurodivergent, auto-detect
time_buffer_multiplier: 1.5 # For neurodivergent: 1.5-2.0
chunk_size_max: 5 # Max items per section
color_scheme: calming # Options: calming, standardneurodivergent-visual-org-v3/
├── SKILL.md # Main skill file with mode detection
├── README.md # This file
├── config/ # Mode configuration
│ ├── modes.md # Mode definitions
│ └── user-preference.md # Configuration guide
├── templates/ # Template libraries
│ ├── neurodivergent/ # ADHD-optimized (v2.0 patterns)
│ │ ├── task-breakdown.md
│ │ ├── decision-tree.md
│ │ ├── project-map.md
│ │ ├── current-state.md
│ │ ├── time-boxing.md
│ │ ├── habit-building.md
│ │ ├── accountability.md
│ │ └── focus-regulation.md
│ └── neurotypical/ # Professional templates
│ ├── task-breakdown.md
│ ├── decision-tree.md
│ └── project-map.md
├── examples/ # Mode comparison examples
│ └── mode-comparison.md
└── tests/ # Test scenarios
└── test_mode_detection.md
The skill activates when users:
- Feel overwhelmed by tasks
- Experience decision paralysis
- Need to break down complex projects
- Struggle with time blindness
- Want to track habits or energy
- Need visual organization tools
- Request professional presentations
User: "I need to clean my apartment but it's so messy I don't know where to start"
Skill Response:
- Auto-detects neurodivergent mode (keywords: "so messy", "don't know where to start")
- Creates flowchart or timeline breaking cleaning into 10-15 minute chunks
- Starts with "quick wins" for visible progress
- Uses calming color theme
- Includes validation and encouragement
- Renders with Mermaid tool
- Offers to save to Obsidian
- Compassionate language (never "just" or "should")
- Realistic time estimates (1.5-2x normal estimates)
- Energy awareness (acknowledge spoon theory)
- Micro-steps (3-10 minute tasks)
- Permission statements (combat perfectionism)
- Celebrate starting (not just finishing)
- 3-5 information chunks per section (working memory)
- Calming colors (blues, greens, muted tones)
- Direct language (efficient, professional)
- Standard time estimates (no buffer)
- Standard tasks (15-30 minute blocks)
- Professional presentation (stakeholder-ready)
- 5-7 information chunks per section (Miller's Law)
- Standard color schemes (Mermaid defaults)
| Need | Diagram Type |
|---|---|
| "I don't know where to start" | Flowchart (decision tree) |
| "This is overwhelming" | Timeline or Gantt chart |
| "I can't decide" | Quadrant chart (Eisenhower Matrix) |
| "What should I focus on?" | Quadrant chart or Pie chart |
| "Time disappears" | Timeline (make time visible) |
| "No energy" | Pie or Sankey (spoon theory) |
| "Build a habit" | Flowchart or User journey |
Neurodivergent Mode:
- Flowcharts: 12-15 nodes maximum
- Mindmaps: 2-3 levels deep
- Pie charts: 4-6 slices
- Lists: 2 lists × 3-5 items max
- Sections: 3-5 per diagram
Neurotypical Mode:
- Flowcharts: 20-25 nodes maximum
- Mindmaps: 4-5 levels deep
- Pie charts: 6-8 slices
- Lists: 2 lists × 5-7 items max
- Sections: 5-7 per diagram
Neurodivergent Mode:
forest- Calming green-basedneutral- Muted earth tones- Both reduce visual overstimulation
Neurotypical Mode:
default- Standard Mermaid theme- Any professional color scheme
Diagram won't render
- Check indentation consistency (mindmaps, composites)
- Avoid lowercase "end" as state name (use "End" or "END")
- Verify coordinates are 0-1 for quadrant charts
- Remove
::icon()syntax for GitHub compatibility
Colors not working
- Use YAML frontmatter for Sankey config (not directives)
- Remember pie chart colors assigned by size, not order
Events missing in timeline
- All events before first
sectionare ignored - Add section before any timeline events
Mode not detected correctly
- Use explicit mode request: "Use neurotypical mode"
- Check configuration file syntax
- See test scenarios in
tests/test_mode_detection.md
- Reddit r/ADHD - Community-shared patterns
- ADDitude Magazine - Research-backed strategies
- CHADD - Evidence-based resources
- Mermaid Live Editor - mermaid.live for testing
- GitHub Repository - Issues and discussions
- v3.0 - Neurotypical/neurodivergent mode toggle, dual template system, auto-detection
- v2.0 - Comprehensive Mermaid syntax, research-backed design, troubleshooting
- v1.0 - Initial release with basic patterns
This skill incorporates research from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and ADHD communities. Use freely and adapt to your needs.
Remember: Visual tools work WITH brain differences, not against them. These diagrams externalize executive function and make the invisible visible. Choose the mode that helps you right now.