Work environments for autistic people can be very challenging at times. Interacting with different people, the need to be “flexible” all the time, and the pressure to meet deadlines can mean autistic people may find the traditional workplace to be overwhelming. That is why more and more employers are becoming more supportive and putting reasonable adjustments in place by using technology. One such technology is the app. A growing number of apps are specifically designed to help people with autism manage themselves and helps employers foster neurodiversity in the workplace. Here are five of the best:

Tiimo

The hype around Tiimo is real. This app is devised to help autistic employees stay on track and manage their time effectively. It does this by providing a visual schedule of the day’s activities and reminders and alerts for when it’s time to move on to the next task. The app also has a social component, allowing users to connect with others using the app and share their experiences with employers. And if that wasn’t enough, Timo has a smooth interface and is easy to use. You can also personalise your schedules with emojis and photos, making the whole experience much more fun.

Key features

• Schedule the day’s activities
• Reminders and alerts
• Social component
• Easy to use interface

Trello

Have you ever felt like you’re periodically being pulled in a million different directions? If so, Trello might be the app for you. It helps users manage their tasks and projects by organising them into boards. Each board can contain multiple lists, including to-dos, ideas, or progress updates. Users can also add comments, attachments, and due dates to each task, making it easy to track each task that oughts to be accomplished. If you’re working on a team project, Trello makes it easy to collaborate with others by adding them to your boards. And one more thing – the app is entirely free to use, making it an excellent option for managing yourself in the workplace.

Key features

• Organise tasks into boards
• Add comments, attachments, and due dates
• Collaborate with others
• Free to use

Time timer

This one is mind-blowing. Time timer is an app that visualises the passage of time, making it perfect for autistic people who have difficulty understanding abstract concepts like time. It visualises time passage in the form of a pie chart. For example, if you have a 30-minute task, the app will show you a pie chart with 30 pieces. The pie chart is red, green, or any colour to indicate how much time has passed. As time goes on, the pie chart will slowly disappear, helping you to understand how much time has elapsed. Time timer also allows you to set alarms and reminders, making it easy to stay on track. This app is undoubtedly a game changer for autistic people who may struggle with time management.

Key features

• Visualise the passage of time
• Set alarms and reminders
• Customizable timer length

Microsoft To Do

Microsoft To Do is a to-do list application that helps users manage their tasks and projects. It’s simple, straightforward, and easy to use, making it an excellent tool and option for autistic people who want an app that is not too overwhelming. Microsoft To Do allows users to create unlimited lists and add an unlimited number of tasks to each list. Tasks can also be assigned due dates and reminders and shared with others. The app also has a handy feature that allows users to add subtasks to each task, making it easy to break down complex projects into smaller, manageable steps. And if you need some motivation to stay on track, they will even send you notifications when you’re close to completing a task.

Key features

• Simple and easy-to-use interface
• Create unlimited lists and add an unlimited number of tasks
• Assign due dates and reminders
• Add subtasks
• Get notifications when you’re close to completing a task

Asana

Asana works similarly to Wunderlist and Trello in that it helps users manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. This app allows you to easily add teammates to your projects and assign tasks to specific people. You can also leave short comments on tasks and attach files, making it easy for everyone to stay up-to-date on the project’s progress. And if you need to keep track of things like deadlines, Asana makes it easy to add due dates and reminders to each task.

Key Features

• Add teammates to projects
• Assign tasks to specific people
• Leave comments on tasks
• Attach Files
• Add due dates and reminders

There are a lot of incredible apps out there that can help autistic employees and foster neurodiversity in your organisation. These are just a few examples. With the right tools, autistic people can be as (if not more) productive and successful at work as neurotypical employees.