Learner profile

Designing for ADHD Learners

Harness creativity, energy, and curiosity — through dynamic, focused learning design.

This guide helps educators and trainers create engaging, flexible, and fast-paced courses for learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Using Mexty, you can turn static, linear lessons into interactive missions that channel creativity and sustain attention through variety, movement, and gamified progress.

Prompt to start: "Turn this linear lesson into a mission-based challenge with short interactive blocks and instant feedback."

Quick Wins (Start Here)

Turn linear lessons into mission-based challenges.
Use short, varied learning blocks (video, quiz, simulation).
Provide immediate feedback — don't delay gratification.
Add gamification elements (points, rewards, progress meters).
Offer frequent interaction — drag, tap, or decide every few seconds.

Core Strategies & How to Prompt

1) Chunk and Vary the Content

Keep each block under 3–5 minutes. Alternate formats (text → quiz → video → decision game).

Prompt: "Break this 20-minute lesson into five short missions, each with a different activity type."

2) Add Fast Feedback Loops

Reward every correct action or completion instantly. Use visual effects, audio cues, or short praise messages.

Prompt: "Add instant feedback and celebration animation after each correct response."

3) Gamify Progress and Motivation

Turn the course into a journey with missions, levels, and XP points. Add badges for consistency, not just mastery.

Prompt: "Add mission titles, progress tracking, and badges for completing each challenge."

4) Encourage Movement and Interaction

Integrate quick decisions, drag-and-drop tasks, or timed reactions. Keep learners engaged through micro-interactions.

Prompt: "Add quick interactive choices and drag elements to keep engagement high."

5) Reduce Overload with Clear Layout

Avoid long paragraphs or multiple ideas per screen. Use icons, whitespace, and color contrast for clarity.

Prompt: "Simplify layout to one concept per screen with strong visual hierarchy."

6) Enable Flexible Navigation

Let learners skip ahead, retry, or jump between missions. Reduce penalties for distraction — allow easy re-entry.

Prompt: "Enable open navigation with a visible mission map so learners can jump back anytime."

7) Leverage Strengths

Use creative, problem-solving, or storytelling tasks. Emphasize imagination and curiosity.

Prompt: "Add a creative challenge where learners design a short scenario or example based on the topic."

Recommended Mexty Blocks

Mission Block — transforms content into short challenges
Gamification Block — XP points, levels, and streaks
Quick Interaction Block — tap, drag, or choose mini-actions
Instant Feedback Block — visual and motivational cues
Open Navigation Block — flexible progress control
Creative Challenge Block — builds engagement through design and story

Prompt: "Insert Mission, Gamification, and Quick Interaction Blocks with instant feedback and open navigation."

Accessibility & Compliance

Mexty ensures ADHD-friendly design is also accessible:

WCAG 2.1 AA / EN 301 549 — clean visuals and low-distraction navigation
FERPA / COPPA — learner privacy and safe gamified features
GDPR / ISO 27001 — secure tracking of engagement and progress

Prompt: "Audit course for ADHD accessibility and ensure gamified interactions meet visual clarity and feedback speed standards."

Measure What Matters

Track engagement patterns specific to attention diversity:

Average focus duration per block
Completion rate by activity type
Retry frequency and reward response time
Badge and mission completion trends

Prompt: "Generate an ADHD engagement report showing completion, retries, and interaction rates."

Brand Notes — Using Mexty Colors as an Example

Use bright, energetic, but balanced visuals:

Blue — focus and direction#2D7BFF

Purple — creativity and flow#6A4CFF

Orange — energy and motivation#FF8A2D

Pink — reward and playfulness#FF4FB3

Off-white — clarity and breathing space#F7F9FC

Prompt: "Apply Mexty's dynamic color palette with large icons, clear contrasts, and smooth transitions."

One-Click Template (Pasteable Prompt)

"Turn this linear lesson into a mission-based challenge: split into short interactive blocks, add gamified progress tracking, instant feedback, and open navigation; ensure WCAG 2.1/EN 301 549 compliance and maintain Mexty's dynamic color design."

Ready to build?

Open your Mexty workspace and paste any of the prompts above to create ADHD-friendly, gamified learning journeys that keep energy high and focus natural — powered by AI and smart design.

Ouvrir le workspace Mexty