Neurodivergent-Friendly Social Skills Practice for Adults

Guide updated: November 2025

What Makes SpringSocial Neurodivergent-Friendly?

• Clear, explicit explanations – instead of “just be yourself”, SpringSocial explains what different responses tend to signal and why some options work better in certain contexts.
• Predictable structure – scenarios follow a consistent flow, which reduces the “social chaos” feeling and makes it easier to follow what’s happening.
• Focus on choice, not judgement – the app doesn’t label traits as “bad” or “wrong”. You see how options might be interpreted and decide when you want to adapt.
• Flexible pacing – you can pause, repeat and revisit scenarios as often as you like; there’s no timer or score pressure.

Who This Page Is For

Not every neurodivergent person wants or needs social skills support — and that’s completely valid. This page is for people who:

• Want clearer information about unspoken social expectations.
• Are tired of masking but still need to navigate certain environments (like work or study).
• Prefer learning through concrete examples rather than abstract advice.

Types of Neurodivergent Users SpringSocial May Support

Autistic adults

• Who want clearer rules about hidden social norms.
• Who like practising specific scenarios rather than general “be more confident” advice.
• Who sometimes find it hard to predict how others will react.

Adults with ADHD

• Who struggle with interrupting or oversharing.
• Who want strategies for staying on topic or slowing down.
• Who find it helpful to see how conversations can derail and how to repair them.

Other neurodivergent adults

• Who appreciate step-by-step guidance and examples.
• Who want to test different approaches before trying them in real life.
• Who prefer learning by doing, not just reading.

Social Situations Often Requested by Neurodivergent Users

At work

• Knowing when and how to speak up in meetings.
• Managing feedback without shutdown or meltdown.
• Handling sudden changes to plans.
• Explaining overload or the need for breaks.

With friends and partners

• Explaining needs and sensory limits.
• Negotiating alone time without hurting feelings.
• Repairing misunderstandings after blunt comments.

With family

• Responding to unsolicited advice.
• Handling comments about “acting normal”.
• Setting boundaries around events and obligations.

Everyday public situations

• Ordering food or coffee when overwhelmed.
• Asking for help in shops or services.
• De-escalating conflict when someone is rude.

Respecting Autonomy and Identity

SpringSocial does not assume that the goal is to “fix” you or make you appear neurotypical. Instead, it aims to:

• Give you information about how certain behaviours may be interpreted in specific contexts.
• Offer options for when you decide it’s useful to adapt — such as in a job interview or critical meeting.
• Support you in building relationships and routines that work for you, not just for other people.

You stay in charge of which strategies you use, in which situations and how often.

Frequently Asked Questions