There are many apps around, which are created to help neurodivergent people, created by other neurodivergent people. Here are a few examples of apps:
Molehill Mountain is a good app for when you need to write down your worries and self-manage your day-to-day anxiety. The app uses research- based evidence to create exercises and practical tips to control anxiety throughout the day.
In the app, you will cover a full session of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) designed specifically for autistic people to help them understand the backgrounds of their anxieties and work through specific exercises to help. In the app, all information you add about your daily worries is kept in a worry diary which can help you look at your progress and consistent worries that you may need to focus on to break the cycle.
The app is free and available on Apple and Android.
https://www.autistica.org.uk/molehill-mountain
Routinery is a great app for those who struggle to make and keep daily routines. The app is free and available on Apple and Android meaning that anyone who needs a boost with routines has access.
In the app, a ‘bot’ welcomes you and helps you create a morning routine with suggestions on what you may want to do e.g., making your bed, drinking water or showering. When you complete a routine, you get a seed. In order to keep the seed alive, you must follow the routine you have set up, creating a motivation to want to complete the little tasks. In the app, you can create as many ‘routines’ as you need to help you through the day with specific time frames from when you want to complete them.
Habitica is a routine help app which allows you to complete tasks with a reward. Firstly, you select the areas you are trying to be more productive in, such as school and self-care. You then set up tasks for yourself to complete in these areas and when you complete a task, such as finishing an essay, you get rewarded with points. When you collect them, you get rewarded with things within the app, like virtual pets. In Habitica, you can also join friends to take on quests or go solo and do monthly/ weekly challenges set by others. The app is free and available on Apple, Android and online meaning that anyone can complete tasks from anywhere without needing to have a specific type of device.
The app Forest allows you to keep focus on a task when you are likely to be distracted by your phone. This can help you with preventing procrastination on tasks and getting distracted. The app allows you to set timers for how long you want to constantly work for e.g. 30 minutes and gives you a reasonable break to keep motivation high. If you steer off task and get distracted by other apps, the tree which grows from completing the work time will die and you will have to start over, this is good motivation for people so they get rewarded by growing a forest the more they work. Forest also works with trees for the future meaning that every time you fully grow a tree, one is planted in real life which means that while you are completing tasks, you are also helping the environment. The app is £3.99 and available on Apple, Android and online, meaning that anyone can complete tasks from anywhere without needing to have a specific type of technology.
If you are looking for friendships or a relationship as an autistic person Hiki may help.
Hiki is an app which enables autistic people to find other people who may share the same experiences as them to decrease the feeling of isolation. It can allow people who may feel ashamed of who they are to embrace themselves. Hiki has helped a lot of people find other autistic adults who don’t have someone they can talk to, who will relate to what they are feeling and going through by having and being in a community that cares and helps them thrive.
As Hiki includes dating and making friendships it is 18+ to make sure that youths are protected and are not put in inappropriate situations, however for people 18+ it is a free app which is available on both Apple and Android phones.
To conclude, not every app may be suitable for everyone due to individual differences and preferences, but when you find one which improves yourmood or quality of life by providing a routine, it can significantly help.
