Inclusive Design

Color and Neurodiversity: Designing for ADHD, Autism, and Sensory Processing Differences

Standard color accessibility guidance covers colorblind users and WCAG contrast ratios, but does not address the color sensitivities associated with neurodevelopmental differences. ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, and sensory processing differences create color-related experiences that fall outside the WCAG model — experiences around chromatic intensity, visual complexity, and the overwhelming quality of certain color environments. Designers who understand these patterns can create more inclusive color systems without compromising visual design quality.