101 Neurodivergent Life Hacks for School, Work, Life & More

We start with some Life Skills Advocate poetry:

In a world that spins so fast and furious,
Where tasks pile up, both big and serious,
We seek a magic spell, a secret knack,
Lo and behold, we find the life hack!

Why a life hack, you might inquire?
To boost our success, to leap higher and higher.
They’re the cheat codes in the game of living,
Making life feel easier so you can keep on winning.

Life hacks are simple adjustments and creative work-arounds that can streamline everyday tasks that solve everyday problems or simplify tasks in ways you might not have thought of before.

They’re about optimizing the ordinary, making life a bit easier, more efficient, or even more fun without needing complex tools or significant changes.

Life hacks cover a broad range of topics—from organizing your home more effectively, managing your time better, and enhancing productivity to even creative ways to use household items.

Today, we’re sharing the ultimate guide to neurodivergent life hacks. These 101 strategies are quick tips you can implement today to save time and be more productive.

Click here to jump to the TL;DR summary

A Disclaimer About “Life Hacks”

Before we begin with the list of hacks, we first need to include a disclaimer.

Life hacks complement your ongoing efforts to strengthen executive functioning skills.

It takes time, practice, and persistence to improve skills like planning, organization, and time management. While many of these quick strategies can be easily added to well-established daily routines, they may not feel useful without some existing routines to anchor them.

The real ‘hack’ that supports neurodivergent individuals in making meaningful progress towards finding healthy life balance and independence is through many of the strategies you’ll find here on our website:

• The Real Life Executive Functioning Workbook (coupon code LSA20 for 20% off)
• The Neurodivergent-Friendly Cookbook (coupon code LSA20 for 20% off the digital version)
• The Executive Functioning 101 Resource Hub
• Executive Functioning IEP Goal Resource Hub
• Executive Functioning Coaching

The Key to Successful Life Hacks… Start Small

There’s always a chance when you write a large list post like this one that you receive feedback like:

• How do you narrow it down so it’s not so overwhelming?
• How do you get started with so many strategies?
• What are the most important life hacks for me right now?

Starting small with life hacks is the key to integrating these clever solutions into your daily routine without feeling overwhelmed.

Start by identifying one or two minor tasks or challenges that you encounter regularly, then seek out 1-2 life hacks specifically tailored to address that problem. For instance, if you’re always misplacing your keys, the hack of using a designated key bowl or setting up a launch pad in your home can make a big difference.

The importance of starting small lies in the immediate sense of achievement and the positive reinforcement for making the change. As these small changes become more routine, you’ll be able to incorporate additional life hacks, gradually building a repertoire of strategies that enhance efficiency and reduce stress.

Remember, the goal is not to overhaul your life overnight but to make incremental improvements that collectively lead to more organized, enjoyable, and productive routines.

Set a Goal & Evaluate

As you decide on a few life hacks to implement, we also recommend setting a SMART goal up for yourself to measure progress and evaluate if the life hack is having the intended effect.

For example, if the goal is to spend less time searching for your keys in the morning, set up a goal and measurement plan to keep track of how many days you have to search for your keys in the morning. If the launch pad helps, you’ll be able to see the progress right away. If, after two weeks, the routine still isn’t reducing key-search time, note it and experiment with a different approach.

By setting up a strategy to measure progress, you’re ensuring that the change you make is meaningful and worth your time to implement.

For more examples and data collection ideas, review our free .pdf downloadable data collection worksheets.

For Home

1. Use Color-Coded Bins: Assign a specific color for each type of item to simplify organization and finding things.
2. Label Everything: Purchase a self-sticking label maker to label shelves, boxes, and drawers clearly to remind you where things belong.
3. Set Up a Mail Station: Create a designated spot for incoming and outgoing mail to manage clutter.
4. Implement a Launch Pad: Place hooks by the door for keys, backpacks, and wallets to avoid misplacing them around the house.
5. Create a Decluttering Routine: Spend 10 minutes at the end of each day decluttering a specific area to keep messes at bay.
6. Create a Sensory-Friendly Hangout: Designate a quiet, comfortable space for downtime equipped with items that help soothe sensory overload, such as dim lighting, noise-canceling headphones, or tactile objects that help you chill out when stressed.
7. On-the-Go Visual Reminders: Create a photo album in your smartphone with each step of a routine or task to serve as a reminder on busy days or when you’re more easily distracted.

For Travel

1. Pack Using a Checklist: Avoid forgetting essentials by using a packing list. There are plenty of free lists online or develop your own as part of EF-Friendly vacation planning.
2. Use Labeled Packing Cubes: Organize items into categories within your suitcase for easy access and to increase the chances you won’t leave home without something.
3. Set Reminders for Important Items: Use your smartphone to remind you to pack things last minute things that are difficult to pack far in advance and to keep you on track when you’re most likely to be stressed or distracted. Set the reminders for 30-60 minutes before your departure with the final packing tasks and reminders.
4. Sensory Kit for Travel: Pack a small bag with sensory tools (earplugs, stress balls, sunglasses) to help manage sensory overload while on the go.
5. Pre-Travel Familiarization: Use street view, maps, and online review photos to familiarize yourself with new locations before traveling and reduce anxiety about unknown places.
6. Keep a Go-Bag Ready: Have a small bag with travel-sized essentials always packed and ready. If it’s always set aside and never mixed in with your other toiletries, there’s less to worry about packing (and potentially forgetting.)
7. Photograph Your Luggage: On a lower-stress day, take pictures of your packed luggage, toiletries kit, and travel essentials. Keep these photos stored in a “Travel Packing” album on your smartphone for when you need them on higher-stressed travel days.

For School

1. Color-Code Subjects: Assign each subject a color for notebooks, folders, binders, and supplies to stay organized. If you have space in your desk area, include a matching color-coded pencil bag with the homework supplies (calculator, ruler, art materials, etc.) you need for each subject.
2. Use Visual Study Timers: Use a visual timer to work in focused intervals, followed by short breaks.
3. Keep Visual Study Aids on Hand: Keep blank flashcards and mind mapping sheets or flashcards in your study area or extras in a folder in your backpack so you always have them on hand when you get stuck or need some additional brainstorming tools.
4. Digital Note-Taking: Utilize digital tools for taking notes (try Rocketbook, Evernote, or ReMarkable, which can be easier to organize, share with study partners, and search through later.
5. Timed Breaks During Study: Schedule regular, timed breaks during study sessions to prevent burnout and maintain focus. Use a Pomodoro timer to ensure breaks are taken consistently.

For Work

1. Prioritize Top 3 Tasks: Start your day by identifying the three most important tasks for the day. Schedule the time to complete the tasks if needed, or if time allows, work on these tasks first.
2. Schedule Email Delivery Times: Use a mailbox plug-in that restricts when emails are delivered to your inbox to specific times of the day. Limit distractions from new emails when you go to tackle items in your inbox. Then set focused, intentional periods to address new mail.
3. Use Noise-Canceling Headphones For Detailed Work: Minimize distractions in noisy work environments and give co-workers a visual cue that you’re not available for conversations. For tips on what to play in your headphones check out what the research says on different types of noise.
4. Organize Your Workspace: Clean your desk and assign everything a space. If it doesn’t have an immediate purpose for your work, set it in area away from your workstation. Take smartphone photos of the clean, organized space as a visual reminder of how to tidy up.
5. Schedule “Huddle Ups”: Regularly update your supervisor or team on your progress in a quick video call or a stand-up at a designated time and place in the office. The only formal agenda item: have each team member indicate their biggest priority and their biggest challenge to success.

For Getting Things Done

1. The Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. If it takes longer than two minutes, set it aside to designate a time later on to finish it.
2. Use Productivity Apps: Apps like Todoist or Trello can help manage tasks across multiple teams or projects.
3. Task Batching: Take 10 minutes at the start of the day to plan out your schedule for the day to group similar tasks together. Task batching can reduce the distractions of switching between different types of tasks and promote focused attention.
4. Use Voice Assistants: Employ voice-activated technology on your smartphone or smart speaker to set reminders, create lists, or manage schedules hands-free.
5. Try a “Distraction Observer” or try body doubling: ask a friend to watch you work over video for an afternoon and note what tends to pull your focus.
6. Practice the Pomodoro Technique: Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat for 4 rotations, then take a longer 20-minute break. Planned breaks help maintain focus for longer productivity sessions.

For Shopping

1. Quiet Shopping Hours: Take advantage of quiet shopping hours offered by some stores, designed to accommodate those with sensory sensitivities. If your local retailer doesn’t have designated hours, call and ask the management what time of the week is the least busy and plan shopping trips accordingly.
2. Limit Shopping Time: Set a timer to avoid getting sidetracked in the store. Set a timer as a reminder to stay on track with only purchasing what’s on the list or set timers as reminders to keep moving towards the check out.
3. Priority Shopping List: Break down your shopping list into essentials and non-essentials. Start with the items you absolutely need, so if you start feeling overwhelmed and need to leave sooner than expected, you’ve already secured the most important items.
4. Sensory Maps of Stores: Some individuals benefit from mapping out stores according to sensory input areas (e.g., bright lighting, loud music sections, extra strong smells). Knowing these areas can help you plan your route to avoid or minimize exposure to uncomfortable or distracting spaces.

For Online

1. Limit Social Media Time: Set specific times for social media to avoid scrolling for hours. Engage reminders, blocking apps, or other tools to help overcome the distraction of social media.
2. Enable Screen Time Reports: Monitor your online activity to identify patterns in what apps continue to be the most problematic and what times are highest risk for digital distractions.
3. Schedule Digital Decluttering: Regularly organize and declutter digital files and emails to reduce digital overwhelm. Try inbox zero or another method to keep email tidy.
4. Use Read It Later Apps: Save articles and videos for a designated reading time. If you tend to get off task quickly online, directing the distractions to a waiting area for later can encourage better browsing habits.
5. Turn Off Non-Essential Notifications: Reduce distractions by silencing unnecessary alerts. Set a monthly time to go in an review notifications settings again as these can easily and mistakenly adjusted.

For Dating Relationships

1. Use a Shared Calendar: Use a shared digital calendar for planning dates and remembering anniversaries, reducing the stress of remembering dates.
2. Pre-Date Planning: Before going on a date, plan out several topics of conversation or questions you’re comfortable discussing. This can help alleviate anxiety about awkward silences and ensure the conversation flows more smoothly.
3. Practice Active Listening: Make an effort to engage and listen when your partner speaks fully. Take some time to practice or role-play a conversation as if you’re on the date and get some feedback on how well you do with active listening.
4. Quiet Date Spots: As you get to know someone new, choose date locations that are known for their calm atmosphere. Quiet cafes, parks, or museums can be great choices that allow for conversation without overwhelming sensory inputs.

For Family Relationships

1. Family Meetings: Regularly discuss schedules, responsibilities, and any issues as a family during a monthly or weekly family meeting.
2. Delegate Tasks: Assign household chores based on each family member’s strengths. For chores and tasks that no one enjoys, set a rotating schedule and share the responsibilities.
3. Visual Family Schedules: Use a large visual calendar or board in a common area to track family activities, making it easier for everyone to know what’s happening and when.
4. Plan Quality Time: Schedule regular activities or outings as a family. If it’s not on the calendar, it is less likely to happen. Make a list of everyone’s favorite activities and have them on hand for easy planning.

For College

1. Use Academic Advising Resources: Take advantage of tutoring and advising services offered by your college. These free resources are available but not widely used until students are struggling. Start early and get to know the resources before there’s a problem.
2. Join Study Groups: Ask your professor to help set up a study group. Collaborate with peers to stay motivated and understand the material better.
3. ​​Recorded Lectures: Utilize the option to record lectures for review, allowing for pause and replay as needed to better focus on key details.
4. Study Space Rituals: Create a ritual to start your study sessions, such as arranging your desk in a certain way, using a specific lamp, or playing a particular genre of background music. This can signal to your brain that it’s time to focus, helping to transition into study mode more smoothly.
5. Attend office hours. Studies show students who take advantage of the time and build relationships with others have higher success. Even if you don’t have any questions, use it as a space for studying each week.
6. Scheduled Self-Care Breaks: Incorporate scheduled breaks for self-care into your study routine. Whether it’s a short walk, a mindfulness session, or a hobby you enjoy, taking deliberate breaks can help manage stress and prevent burnout, keeping you more productive in the long term.

For Exercise & Physical Health

1. Choose Enjoyable Activities: Pick exercises that feel more like play than work.
2. Sensory-Friendly Exercise Gear: Invest in sensory-friendly exercise gear, like soft, seamless clothing or weighted blankets for relaxation after workouts.
3. Share a fitness idea with a friend: Have clear, achievable targets for your physical health and then share them with a friend or family member who can help hold you accountable.
4. Workout with a Friend: Better yet, bring a friend or family member along! Accountability can help you stay committed.
5. Incorporate Movement into Your Routine: Take short walks or do stretching exercises during breaks to naturally build in more movement and exercise to your day.
6. Exercise Apps with Visual Guides: Use apps that provide visual guides or video demonstrations to make following exercise routines easier.
7. Try A New Sleep Strategy Each Month: There are hundreds of sleep hygiene strategies and tips to help you get more rest. Choose one new strategy and test it for 30 days. Use a smartwatch or sleep tracking device to log how effective it was in helping to boost your sleep. Then try a new strategy the next month and evaluate it again.
8. Personalized Exercise Playlist: Create a personalized playlist of music that motivates you or calms you down, depending on your needs. Music can be a powerful tool for maintaining focus and motivation during workouts, or for making the environment more comfortable for those with sensory sensitivities.
9. Engage in Nature Activities: Activities like hiking, biking, or even walking in a park can be less intense and more enjoyable ways to stay active. Being in nature can also have calming effects, reducing stress and improving overall well-being.

For Leisure & Fun

1. Schedule Downtime: At the start of every week, ensure you have time in your day for activities you enjoy. Build it in your planner or organization tool like you would any other appointment or deadline.
2. Hobby Rotation: Rotate through hobbies or activities to prevent boredom and keep engagement high, accommodating the need for novelty and stimulation.
3. Limit Screen Time: Engage in hobbies that don’t involve screens to reduce digital fatigue.
4. Social Stories for New Activities: Prepare for new leisure activities by reading or creating social stories that outline what to expect, reducing anxiety about unknown experiences.
5. Create a Fun List: Keep a list of activities you want to try for when you’re looking for something new. Draw one out of a hat or pull the next one on the list to prevent decision fatigue from taking up all the fun time you have.
6. Digital Detox: Implement regular technology detox periods where you disconnect from electronic devices. This can help reduce overstimulation and provide a more peaceful environment to enjoy other activities, such as reading, crafting, or spending time in nature.
7. Recreate with the Seasons: Choose 1-2 different hobbies and leisure activities for each different season or holiday. This keeps them fresh and rotating throughout the year.
8. Creative Projects: Dedicate time to working on personal projects or crafts. Find a way to exercise your DIY behaviors, even if it’s an easy project.
9. Have a Dance Party: Use music and movement as a form of expression and relaxation. Have a dance playlist ready for whenever you have 2 minutes or 20 minutes to rock out to your favorite music.

For Household Chores

1. Set a Timer for Cleaning: Challenge yourself to clean for a set amount of time each day. Even 5-10 minutes of tidying up can make a big difference over time.
2. Assign Specific Days for Specific Tasks: Create a cleaning schedule to stay on track across the week. Choose bigger projects for days when you have more time, and easier chores for days when you spend less time at home or have other demands on your time.
3. Declutter Regularly: Less clutter means fewer things to clean. Every other week choose an item or theme (purses/bags, kitchen utensils, shoes, cords and cables, etc.) and focus on removing that item from your stash.
4. Chore Reward System: Implement a reward system for completing household chores, providing positive reinforcement and motivation.
5. Use Cleaning Apps: Apps can help you track and organize household tasks. Some of them include audio chore guides, allowing you to Listen to audio instructions or motivational guides while doing chores to help stay focused and make the task more enjoyable.
6. Involve Household Members: Share chores to reduce the load and build accountability. Rotate who does what on a monthly basis, or divide up chores by interest/preferences.
7. Focus on One Room at a Time: Avoid getting overwhelmed by tackling spaces individually.
8. Listen to Audiobooks or Podcasts: Make cleaning more enjoyable by listening to content you enjoy.
9. Micro-Cleaning Sessions: Instead of attempting to clean the entire house at once, break down cleaning tasks into micro-sessions. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes and focus on cleaning one small area or completing one task at a time. This approach can reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed and make it easier to start.
10. Visual Cleaning Checklists: Create visual checklists for different cleaning tasks and areas in the home. Use pictures or symbols alongside text to make the checklists more engaging and easier to follow. This can also help ensure that no tasks are forgotten.
11. Decluttering Baskets: Place baskets or bins in different rooms for items that don’t belong there. Once a day or week, take some time to empty these baskets and return items to their proper places. This can help keep clutter under control and make cleaning easier.

For Personal Finance

1. Visual Budgeting Tools: Use budgeting tools that offer visual representations of finances, such as graphs and charts, to make managing money more intuitive.
2. Automated Savings Transfers: Set up automated transfers to savings accounts to simplify the process of saving money without needing to remember to do it manually.
3. Automate Bill Payments: Set up automatic payments for recurring bills to avoid distractions and missed payments.
4. Cash-Only Budgeting Method: For discretionary spending, consider using a cash-only system. Withdraw a set amount of cash for the week or month for categories like eating out, entertainment, or shopping. Once the cash is gone, that’s it until the next period. This method can help curb impulsive spending by making the outflow of money more tangible.
5. Review Finances Weekly: Regular check-ins can help catch issues early. Schedule regular, short financial planning sessions with yourself or a trusted person. Use this time to review your budget, plan for upcoming expenses, and adjust your savings goals. Keeping these sessions brief and focused can make financial management feel less overwhelming.
6. Visual Savings Goals: Create visual representations of your savings goals, such as charts or progress bars that you can color in as you save towards your goal. Seeing your progress visually can be highly motivating and make abstract financial goals feel more concrete and achievable.
7. Daily Spending Log: Keep track of every purchase to see where money goes. This can be especially helpful during the holiday season when spending can get out of control.
8. Financial Education: Regularly read or watch content about managing finances. Apps, podcasts, and YouTube channels that focus on neurodivergent money management are widely available.
9. Invest in Yourself: Focus on education, on-demand classes, or other learning tools that fit your budget.
10. Charity and Giving: Plan for 1-2 charitable donations within your budget each month to nurture a sense of community and purpose.

For Schedules and Routines

1. Visual Timers and Schedules: Employ visual timers and color-coded schedules to provide clear visual cues for the passage of time and upcoming transitions.
2. Routine Checklists: Create checklists for daily routines, using symbols or pictures as cues for non-verbal thinkers, enhancing independence and efficiency.
3. Theme Days: Designate each day of the week for specific types of tasks or activities (e.g., Monday for administrative tasks, Tuesday for creative projects). This approach can help reduce decision fatigue by providing a clear focus for each day, making it easier to start tasks.
4. Preparation Rituals: Create rituals around preparing for the next day, such as selecting clothes, packing bags, or reviewing the next day’s schedule the night before. This can reduce morning stress and decision-making, making it easier to follow through with plans.
5. Flexible Routine Blocks: Instead of scheduling activities at specific times, organize your day into flexible blocks dedicated to categories of tasks (e.g., work, self-care, leisure). This provides structure while allowing flexibility to adjust based on how you’re feeling or unexpected changes in plans.
6. Reward-Based Scheduling: Incorporate small rewards into your schedule for completing tasks or sticking to your routine. Rewards could be a short break to do something enjoyable, a small treat, or time spent on a hobby. This positive reinforcement can help build motivation and adherence to routines.

For Wellness & Mental Health

1. Mindfulness Alarm Reminders: Set multiple alarms throughout the day as reminders to pause for mindfulness or breathing exercises. These short breaks can help reduce stress and anxiety, improving overall mental health. Each alarm can serve as a prompt to take a moment to check in with yourself, practice deep breathing, or engage in a brief meditation session.
2. Structured Downtime: Schedule structured downtime into your daily routine, ensuring you have time set aside specifically for relaxation or activities you enjoy. This can include reading, drawing, gardening, or any other hobby that helps you unwind. Structured downtime ensures that you regularly take breaks from work or study, which is essential for mental health.
3. Gratitude Journaling: Keep a gratitude journal where you jot down things you’re thankful for each day. Focusing on positive aspects of your life can shift your mindset, reduce stress, and improve your overall sense of well-being. This practice can help cultivate a habit of noticing and appreciating the good, even on difficult days. For alternatives to journaling, check out our article here.

For a young adult living independently for the first time, combining these hacks with support from life skills coaching can make daily life more manageable.

TL;DR – (Too Long, Didn’t Read)

Life hacks are small shortcuts that make daily tasks easier—particularly useful for neurodivergent people.

While life hacks can offer immediate solutions and ease daily routines, they are not a substitute for developing executive functioning skills, which require time, practice, and persistence.

Starting small, setting SMART goals, and evaluating the effectiveness of these hacks are crucial steps in integrating them into day-to-day life.

This guide groups life hacks by setting—home, travel, school, work, and more. Each tip is designed to save time, lower stress, and boost efficiency.

Remember, the ultimate goal is to make incremental improvements through these hacks, leading to a more organized, enjoyable, and independent life.

Further Reading

• 17 Journaling Prompts for Neurodivergent Teens
• Alternatives To Journaling For Neurodivergent Teens
• A Neurodivergent Guide To Sleep: Tips For Better Rest
• Neurodivergent Toolbox: How To Use A Launch Pad
• Mind Mapping: Visuals To Help Your Teen Learn To Plan Ahead
• The Real Life Executive Functioning Workbook (coupon code LSA20 for 20% off)
• The Neurodivergent-Friendly Cookbook (coupon code LSA20 for 20% off the digital version)
• The Executive Functioning 101 Resource Hub
• Executive Functioning IEP Goal Resource Hub
• Executive Functioning Coaching