The Stimpunks framework begins with lived experience.
When neurodivergent people interact with environments that were not designed for diverse nervous systems, friction appears.
That friction reveals patterns.
Those patterns help us design better environments.
experience↓friction↓pattern↓recipe↓environmentThis table shows how the core patterns of neurodivergent life relate to the major types of system friction.
The Four Friction Types
Most neurodivergent environmental friction falls into four categories:
- Attention friction – interruptions and unstable focus
- Sensory friction – overwhelming sensory environments
- Energy friction – unsustainable cognitive or social demands
- Social friction – masking pressure and participation barriers
Patterns help explain why these frictions occur.
Friction → Pattern Map
| Friction Type | Pattern | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Attention | Pattern 01 — Monotropism | Attention concentrates deeply on meaningful interests |
| Attention | Pattern 05 — Deep Attention | Sustained focus emerges when interruptions are minimized |
| Attention | Pattern 13 — Context Switching Cost | Frequent task switching fragments cognition |
| Attention | Pattern 15 — Attention Anchors | Stable structures help attention remain grounded |
| Attention | Pattern 16 — Cognitive Load Windows | Cognitive work happens within limited windows of capacity |
| Sensory | Pattern 03 — Sensory Load | Sensory environments strongly affect regulation |
| Sensory | Pattern 09 — Environment Fit | Environments must align with nervous system needs |
| Energy | Pattern 10 — Energy Accounting | People manage limited cognitive and social energy |
| Energy | Pattern 11 — Burnout Threshold | Chronic stress leads to burnout when thresholds are exceeded |
| Energy | Pattern 12 — Energy Recovery | Recovery environments restore depleted energy |
| Social | Pattern 06 — Social Energy | Social interaction consumes cognitive and emotional energy |
| Social | Pattern 08 — Masking Pressure | Social expectations often force masking behavior |
| Cross-Domain | Pattern 02 — Spiky Profiles | Strengths and challenges vary dramatically across domains |
| Cross-Domain | Pattern 04 — Processing Time | Different cognitive rhythms require time to process information |
| Cross-Domain | Pattern 07 — Regulation First | Regulation is the foundation of participation |
| Cross-Domain | Pattern 14 — Interest-Driven Learning | Learning emerges from curiosity and intrinsic motivation |
From Patterns to Design
Once patterns are identified, they can guide practical design solutions.
pattern↓design recipe↓environmentExample:
context switching cost↓attention sanctuaries↓studios and librariesAnother example:
sensory load↓sensory-safe spaces↓neurodivergent environmentsSee:
Why This Table Matters
Many systems treat neurodivergent struggles as individual problems.
The friction → pattern map shows something different:
Neurodivergent experiences often reveal design failures in environments.
By identifying the patterns behind friction, we can design environments that support diverse ways of thinking, sensing, and participating.
Continue Exploring
Experiences
Pattern Language
Design
- The Stimpunks Design Method
- The Neurodivergent Design Handbook
- The Neurodivergent Architecture Handbook
