David Balinga
Product Designer | Neuro-Inclusive UX
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My first Wise redesign got 37% approval. So I iterated and tested again.
80% of neurodivergent users preferred my second version.
What changed: removed video clutter, made balance the primary focus, simplified icons with labels, matched the app's aesthetic.
Results from 30 ND users:
88% of anxiety users preferred it
81% of autistic users preferred it
79% of ADHD users preferred it
The lesson: my brain finds the friction. Testing tells me which solutions work.
I reduce emotional friction for neurodivergent users.
Full case study: davidbalinga.com (http://davidbalinga.com)
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Why I audited Flourish through a neuro-inclusive lens.
Flourish is a mental wellbeing app. But decoration was drowning function, creating cognitive strain for users who need simplicity most.
I audited 14 screens and found 6 critical issues:
20+ emotion labels → Reduced to 6-8 visual options
Unexplained "Flourish Score" → Added plain language explanations
Mascot pushes check-in below fold → Prioritized function over decoration
Premature paywall → Delayed until users feel value
Mystery features with judgmental icons → Added context, removed guilt
Enterprise questions in personal onboarding → Removed
The principle: When your user is struggling, every pixel counts.
Full case study: https://files.catbox.moe/6dvnxj.pdf
#UXDesign #Neurodiversity #MentalHealth #ProductDesign #Accessibility
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Breeze wants to help me build habits. But the home screen gave me decision paralysis.
Before:
→ 3 tasks at once, brain tries to read all simultaneously
→ "Add Task" top right, too far when overwhelmed
→ "3 tasks left", guilt, not motivation
→ "Self-discovery quest" on home, why?
After: → One task visible, no forced parallel processing
→ "Add task" inline, easy to reach
→ "Your emotions this week", now I know why I'm tracking
→ Quest moved to Tests, where it belongs
Original asked too much. Redesign says: "Here's one thing to do."
Calm. Clear. Completable.
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Depop's checkout is leaking money.
You see "€15" first. Feels good. Then you scroll. Shipping: €2.99. Then the real total: €17.99.
That's not a breakdown, it's a slow surprise. And for anyone with decision fatigue or math anxiety, it's enough to close the app.
Fix: Lead with the total. Show the breakdown underneath.
One change. Less abandonment.
I do neuro-inclusive UX audits. I find where stressed users drop off.
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I was scrolling YouTube for 10 minutes trying to find something to watch.
Why is this so slow?
YouTube makes you think: → Look at thumbnail → Read title → Guess if it's worth watching
That's effort. For every video.
So I designed Spotlight: → 4 videos at a time → Drag to hear a preview → Your gut decides in 3 seconds
Thumbnails make you guess. Sound lets you know.
Stop processing. Start flowing.
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Health tracking apps serve vulnerable users.
The last thing they need is an interface that adds to their burden.
I audited Bearable as a neurodivergent user:
❌ Too many options fighting for attention
❌ '4/8' progress feels like guilt
❌ Data buried below the fold
My redesign:
✅ One clear CTA
✅ No pressure counters
✅ Summary visible at a glance
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Why I redesigned Finch Care (https://www.linkedin.com/company/finchcare/) for the Neurodivergent 20%.
Most apps lose users on Day 1 because of Metaphorical Confusion. For an ADHD or Autistic brain, abstract game mechanics like "energy" can create a massive Initiation Block.
I conducted a Surgical Audit of the Finch onboarding to replace these metaphors with Literal Clarity.
The Goal: Reduce the "Anxiety-Gap" and increase first-day retention.
#UXDesign (https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23uxdesign&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED) #Neurodiversity (https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23neurodiversity&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED) #ADHD
(https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23adhd&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED)View full case study here: https://files.catbox.moe/bgynec.pdf
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