Comment by aaliyajakir | Hacker News Reader

Comment by aaliyajakir | Hacker News Reader

Hey! I built this tool from my own struggles with ADHD and executive dysfunction. It helps you break down tasks into smaller steps, provides suggested responses, and recommends integrated tools such as timer and Spotify (ask it to play a song or set a timer).

People with ADHD operate on an “interest-based nervous system” so they’re motivated by urgency, novelty, competition, and interest. ADHD also impairs executive functioning skills. This can make task paralysis really common, especially for unstimulating tasks.

We’re a team of 3 undergraduate students who have received 50k as finalists in the Microsoft Imagine Cup. We’re being flown out to seattle for Microsoft Build to showcase our tool.

Our tool is in a very early stage right now, but we’re partnering with the world’s ADHD coaching academy to improve and make a tool specifically designed for people with ADHD. We’d love people to test it out and give us any feedback (positive or negative)

> People with ADHD operate on an “interest-based nervous system” so they’re motivated by urgency

Was the decision to have a 3 day trial instead of something longer have anything do with creating urgency and capitalizing on the impulsivity of people with ADHD?

I imagine people with ADHD are more likely to be excited by tools that help and they can often mistake the initial excitement with the tool actually helping manage their executive dysfunction. It's hard for me to see how anyone with ADHD will be able to judge this tool as being truly good for them within 3 days.

It was mainly due to the token costs. With so many people trialing it, they add up fast. I think a one-use trial would be the best way to create urgency and capitalize on impulsivity (judging by my own impulsive purchases).

> I imagine people with ADHD are more likely to be excited by tools that help and they can often mistake the initial excitement with the tool actually helping manage their executive dysfunction.

This is a critical point I've been thinking about because I've done this many times with tools where I try it once, think it's going to solve my executive dysfunction, buy it impulsively, then proceed to stop using it, and then keep getting billed because I don't cancel it (ouch).

>they’re motivated by urgency, novelty, competition, and interest. ADHD also impairs executive functioning skills. This can make task paralysis really common, especially for unstimulating tasks.

this hits home so bad, I can't believe I just read that :/

All the best for your tool bud.

Thank you, I appreciate your kindness

I’d love to check it out! I’ve been digging a very deep rabbit hole looking for something like this.

Interesting! What caused the deep rabbit hole into searching for a tool like this?

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