The Stimpunks framework transforms lived neurodivergent experience into practical design knowledge.
It does this by moving through a series of layers.
Experiences reveal friction.
Friction reveals patterns.
Patterns guide design recipes.
Recipes shape environments.
Environments scale into systems and civilization.
experience↓friction↓pattern↓recipe↓environment↓civilizationThis progression allows us to move from understanding neurodivergent life to designing systems that support it.
The Design Pipeline
The Stimpunks framework follows a simple but powerful sequence.
experience↓pattern recognition↓design response↓environment designEach layer builds on the one before it.
Experience Layer
The system begins with lived experience.
These pages describe what neurodivergent life actually feels like in different environments.
Examples
- Attention Capture
- Attention Fragmentation
- Deep Attention
- Energy Crash
- Masking Fatigue
- Parallel Presence
- Sensory Overload
- Social Exhaustion
Experience pages describe the human signals that reveal environmental misalignment.
Friction Layer
Friction appears when environments conflict with the needs of diverse nervous systems.
Four common types of friction appear repeatedly.
Attention Friction
Interruptions destabilize focus.
Examples:
- multitasking expectations
- meetings interrupting deep work
- constant notifications
Sensory Friction
Environmental stimuli overwhelm the nervous system.
Examples:
- bright lighting
- loud environments
- crowded spaces
Energy Friction
Cognitive and social demands exceed sustainable capacity.
Examples:
- long social interactions
- high cognitive load
- lack of recovery time
Social Friction
Participation expectations require constant performance.
Examples:
- forced eye contact
- rigid communication norms
- synchronous participation requirements
See:
Pattern Layer
Patterns describe recurring structures behind neurodivergent experiences.
They explain why certain forms of friction repeatedly occur.
Attention Patterns
- Pattern 01 — Monotropism
- Pattern 05 — Deep Attention
- Pattern 13 — Context Switching Cost
- Pattern 15 — Attention Anchors
- Pattern 16 — Cognitive Load Windows
Sensory Patterns
Energy Patterns
Social Patterns
Cross-Domain Patterns
- Pattern 02 — Spiky Profiles
- Pattern 04 — Processing Time
- Pattern 07 — Regulation First
- Pattern 14 — Interest-Driven Learning
See:
Recipe Layer
Design recipes translate patterns into practical environmental changes.
Recipes describe how to build environments that support neurodivergent participation.
Examples
- Designing Attention Sanctuaries
- Designing Sensory-Safe Spaces
- Designing Flexible Participation
- Designing Intermittent Collaboration
- Designing Monotropic Workflows
- Designing Predictable Environments
- Designing Regulation Spaces
- Designing Recovery Cycles
See:
Environment Layer
Recipes combine to form environments that support neurodivergent life.
Examples
- Neurodivergent Homes
- Neurodivergent Studios
- Neurodivergent Libraries
- Neurodivergent Workplaces
- Neurodivergent Community Spaces
- Neurodivergent Learning Ecosystems
- Neurodivergent Cities
One example of a designed environment is:
Civilization Layer
When environments scale, they influence institutions and society.
The Stimpunks framework explores how neurodivergent design principles can reshape larger systems.
Examples
- Designing a Neurodivergent Civilization
- The Architecture of Neurodivergent Civilization
- The Neurodivergent Civilization Atlas
- The Neurodivergent Commons
- The Neurodivergent Renaissance
Why This System Matters
Many systems treat neurodivergent challenges as individual problems.
The Stimpunks design framework shows something different.
neurodivergent strugglesoften revealdesign failures in environmentsBy identifying the patterns behind friction, we can design environments where diverse minds can flourish.
Continue Exploring
Experiences
Patterns
Design
- The Stimpunks Design Method
- The Neurodivergent Design Handbook
- The Neurodivergent Architecture Handbook
