Interneuro+

Is an app to help neurodiverse and neurotypical friends, family & partners to have better relationships.

About

Personal UX Project

My Role

UX Designer

Time

3 months part-time

Tools

Figma

Centiment

User surveys

User Interviews

Google Meet

The Background Story

As one half of an interneuro couple, I found a gap in the market as I realised that there are almost no resources for neurotypical / diverse couples, and also not for other types of relationship.

What is Interneuro+?

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Design Process

Discovery
1

Understanding User Needs
2

Ideation
3

Prototype
4

Design thinking is not a linear process, and any stage can feed back to another e.g. after user testing, I often go back to prototyping based on insights

Reflection
7

UI Design
6

User Testing
5

1 Discovery

Competitve Analysis

Survey

Interviews

Competitive Analysis

Non-direct Competitors

Top Insights:

No real competitors in this space

I explored non-direct competitor apps shown to the right

App

Function

Objective

Fabriq

Reminders

Maintaining relationships by using reminders

Blausm

Social

Connecting local neurodiverse families for support systems

Couply

Relationship Help

Enhance communication, understanding, and relationship satisifaction between NT couples

Competitive Analysis Conclusions

Fabriq

Blausm

Couply

Competition

There are no competitors

Specialized Help

There are no apps that offer direct forum access to specialized experts in things like ADHD, Autism.

Restrictions

Limited unpaid features and heavy reliance on partner participation to reach objectives

Poor Marketing

Except for Couply, these apps didn’t really have much of a social media presence and there was no other evidence of marketing

Specialized Help

There are no apps that offer direct forum access to specialized experts in things like ADHD, Autism.

Competitive Analysis Conclusions

Goal 1

Documenting user pain points in interneuro relationships

Goal 2

To determine if users have a need for an Interneuro app

Goal 3

Collecting data on the context in which users would use an Interneuro app

Goal 4

To determine what features and content are important to users

Goal 5

Collecting information on how users prefer to learn about relationships

Survey

View full study

I conducted a survey via centiment to understand more about people’s pain points in interneuro communication and relationships and their preferences towards fixing them.

106

Survey participants

100%

of survey participants are in interneuro relationships (romantic, platonic, family, or work)

90.5%

would use this app if it existed

58%

would be willing to pay for this service in some capacity

Survey

Key

0-10%

10-20%

20-30%

30-40%

Features and Their Value to Users

Interactive Learning Tools

Not

Slightly

Moderately

Very

Extremely

Communication Solution Database

7.7%

30.8%

Resource Library

5.8%

14.4%

26.9%

26.0%

26.9%

Community Forums

8.6%

17.3%

39.4%

22.1%

12.5%

Direct Access to Specialists

3.9%

10.6%

29.8%

28.8%

26.9%

Progress Tracking

8.6%

11.5%

39.4%

21.1%

19.2%

Bookmarking

2.9%

11.5%

27.9%

33.7%

24.0%

Interactive Learning Tools

5.8%

14.4%

28.8%

21.1%

29.8%

Interview Demographics

View full study

I conducted interviews via user interviews to explore people's experiences with interneuro communication and relationships, focusing on their challenges, learning preferences, and what features or tools they believe would improve understanding and connection.

7

Interview participants

100%

of interview participants are in interneuro relationships (romantic or family)

Neurotypes

Neurotypical: 3

Neurodivergent: 4

Technical Proficiency

75%

Average rating: 3.75/5

Life Stages

21-46

Working professionals (full + part-time), students, and homemakers

Observations

I conducted 7 interviews with potential users. The selection criteria were based on neurotype, relationship type, and age. The results were analyzed using Affinity Mapping.

Lack of Resources

"There are plenty of resources for neurotypicals, but not enough for neurodivergents or for neurotypicals to understand them."

"I wish there was a resource that could help us with our specific challenges, but I don't even know what to look for."

"It's hard to find resources tailored to new relationships with kids involved."

“There’s a lack of community and support for people in interneuro relationships”

"Most apps I’ve used are too general—they don’t address my specific needs or circumstances."

"I can’t find tools to help us manage the small day-to-day issues—it’s all big-picture advice."

"Everything online feels either overly simplified or too complex—there’s no middle ground."

Ideal Features

"A platform with community forums, articles, personal tips, and videos for both NTs and NDs."

"A quiz or feedback tool where users can apply and reflect on what they learned."

"Interactive learning tools are preferred because they support better retention and application."

"A variation of video lengths (short and longer) lets users choose how deeply to engage."

"Scientific research combined with practical tips makes advice more actionable and reliable."

"Personal stories or written POVs from partners help bridge understanding gaps."

"Access to mediators or therapists for resolving interpersonal challenges in real-time."

Frustrations

“When apps push ads or ask you to pay frequently, it disrupts the user experience."

"Cluttered interfaces and poor navigation prevent users from completing tasks efficiently."

"Frequent notifications and emails every day become overwhelming."

"Apps are often slow or glitchy, making them frustrating to use."

Accessibility

"Subtitles and reminders are helpful but not overwhelming with pop-ups."

"Dark mode, subtitles, and the ability to stop in the middle of content are important."

"Simple navigation menus and designs help anyone figure out how to use the app."

What participants said...

This would’ve been super helpful at the beginning of my sons autism journey

Anglea, 45

Therapist, Illinois

I would definitely use it, the AI Coach feature would be so helpful

Ethan, 25

Scientist, Oregon

I love that you can gage your progress

Divya, 31

Retail, New York

Interview Insights

Lack of Resources

Participants struggled to find tailored resources addressing their needs, such as guidance for mixed-neurotype relationships. They felt tools were too generalized and failed to offer actionable advice for niche challenges, leaving them without clear solutions.

Clear and Tailored Advice

Personalized advice was seen as essential for user trust and engagement. Real-time communication, like chat or live sessions, made users feel supported, while progress tracking helped show measurable improvement, reinforcing the tool's value.

Accessibility

Accessibility features like dark mode, subtitles, and simple navigation were highly valued. These tools ensured usability for a broader audience, reducing barriers for users with neurodivergence or varying technical proficiency.

General App Frustrations

Users disliked slow, cluttered, or glitchy apps that made tasks harder. Notifications and ads often disrupted their experience, while poorly organized features caused confusion and made users feel unsupported.

Motivations

Participants valued progress tracking and gamification features like badges or streaks to keep them motivated. These tools made the app feel rewarding and encouraged consistent use while balancing fun with functionality.

Communication Tools

Participants emphasized the importance of features that foster better communication between NTs and NDs. Tools like conversation starters, role-playing scenarios, or communication style quizzes were seen as effective for helping users understand and navigate interpersonal dynamics.

2 Understanding

User

Needs

User Persona

Mental Models

User Flow

Marketing to PDA Individuals

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a profile on the autism spectrum, characterized by an extreme avoidance of everyday demands and expectations, driven by high levels of anxiety.

Understanding Unique Needs

My research on marketing to individuals with PDA focuses on understanding their unique needs and preferences to create a more inclusive and effective marketing strategy.

Non-Intrusive Content Suggestions

By using non-intrusive content suggestions, flexible subscription options, and highlighting user autonomy, we aim to create a marketing approach that respects and accommodates the distinct challenges faced by individuals with PDA.

Building Trust

This research has guided us in developing sensitive and user-centric campaigns that foster positive engagement and trust.

Offering Choice and Control

We emphasize the importance of offering choice and control, reducing pressure, and providing clear, predictable information.

User Personas

Click persona anywhere to enlarge

Angela Richardson

Age

Education

Graduate Degree

Status

Married

Occupation

Therapist

Location

Illinois, USA

TEch Literacy

Medium

There are not a lot of resources for parenting NT children if you’re not NT

Neurotype

Neurodivergent

Bio

Angela is a therapist and a mother of 3, who lives in Chicago. Between work and family she doesn’t have much free time most of it is in the evening at home and she usually does household tasks during that time. She is neurodivergent, but 2 of her children and husband are neurotypical and this sometimes causes tension.

Core needs

Learn how to manage relationships and time/stick to schedule

Learning new communication strategies

Being able to work on things with her partner (like linked in an app)

Frustrations

Lack of examples and resources for parenting NT kids as an ND

Forgetful about important events and struggles to find free time

Lack of understanding and communication differences with her children and husband

Platform

Website

Mobile App

Ethan Miller

Age

Education

Undergrad Degree

Status

Engaged

Occupation

Scientist

Location

Oregon, USA

TEch Literacy

High

There isn’t a lot of help for the transition from dating to marriage in interneuro relationships

Neurotype

Neurodivergent

Bio

Ethan is a scientist on the west coast. He’s been with his girlfriend for 3 years and they recently got engaged. He works full time, but he enjoys quiet evenings at home