Project Summary
The Problem
1 in 9 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with ADHD, yet most wearable tech is designed for adults. Kids need a fun, discreet, and rewarding way to build focus without shame or addiction.
The Solution
Wearable Device—For children with ADHD aged 6-12, there is a wearable device with minimal interaction to assist with reminding them when to focus.
A kids tablet app—corresponding app optimized for tablet but also for phone allows the children to access rewards, set their goals and monitor progress.
A caregivers phone app—provides monitoring data, insights and controls over
Context
A concept piece for my Master’s program thinking through a potential better solution for kids with ADHD to focus in school. This project has not progressed beyond an idea.
Why it Matters to Me
As a mother to a young son with ADHD, I’m driven to help him discover the tools and confidence to overcome any challenge.
My Role
Drove the project independently—identifying the problem space, conducting user research, designing the product experience, and creating the final visuals.
An estimated 11.4% of U.S. children aged 3–17 have been diagnosed with ADHD.1
Symptoms of ADHD make learning in school difficult.1
Inattention
Difficulty staying focused, organizing and prioritizing tasks and following through to the end.
Impulsivity
Acting without thinking, difficulty with self-control, or an inability to delay gratification.
Hyperactivity
Excessively moving, fidgeting, tapping, or talking.
Current options for symptom management are lacking when it comes to kids.
Ingestants
These can help but may cause heart and psychiatric problems
Therapies
Effective but takes time and don’t provide instant feedback.
Devices
These can help but are largely targeted towards adults.
Kids need a better solution.
Instant feedback
Alerts them when excessive movement or fidgeting suggests a lack of focus
Encouragement
Helps them stay motivated and positive, even on tough days
Ownership in setting goals
Builds critical tools for managing symptoms throughout their lives
Rewards for doing well
Builds motivation and keeps them engaged
SnapFocus combines a slap bracelet and an app to help kids with ADHD succeed in school with a corresponding Caregiver App with full control.
The Slap Bracelet
Fun, customizable, and designed to excite kids, not make them self-conscious.
The Child’s App
The tablet-based app lets kids set, track, and review goals outside of school.
The Caregiver’s App
Deep AI insights into child’s progress and development with full controls.
Wearable Devices can be addicting
Children and adolescents with ADHD often show a great affinity with digital media, which may improve compliance, but one has to take into account that the rate of problematic internet use and gaming is enhanced in youth with ADHD (estimated at 37% in ADHD vs. 12% in TD)” 2
How SnapFocus is Different
Minimal options and features keeps the child focused on learning instead what is on their wrist
Wearable Devices can be embarassing
Children indicated that they may feel embarrassed if other children knew what the device was for. “What if I set down [my device] and my best friend comes by, and there’s an alert right there saying [take deep breaths]. This can be embarrassing”” 3
How SnapFocus is Different
Fun band options and a minimal interface masque the fact that this is a medical device.
The interface display with minimal possibilities for interaction
focus + vibrate
when sensors detect excessive motion
time
1 tap on the device displays the time
goal tracker
2 taps shows how close to their goal/p>
sleep mode
displays with tap during sleep hours
recharge
displays when the battery is low
Positive reinforcement has proven to significantly improve self-regulation over time in terms of needing fewer reminders to complete tasks and exhibit independent behaviors. 4
Encouragement is displayed daily from caregivers or Antsy the Anteater.
No matter what kind of day a child had, new encouragement is displayed each day to help bolster their self esteem and keep them reaching for improvement.
AI-Generated content makes encouragement easy
Pre-written, customizable comments help caregivers offer consistent and meaningful encouragement which is proven to positively impact kids’ progress.
Over time, we can teach children with ADHD ways to control their behavior, thoughts, and pursue long-term goals. 3
Gamification as motivation
Every 30 minutes of focus unlocks a new Central American animal level. As kids build focus, they progress to higher levels—turning growth into a fun challenge.
AI generated goal ideas
AI analyzes daily and long-term progress to suggest personalized goals tailored to each child’s current needs.
Tracking over time
AI-generated summaries help kids understand their progress, with views across a day, week, month, or year.
Children with ADHD in a particular study felt that rewards as positive reinforcement was a significant motivator for setting and following through on goals.4
A new story each day they hit their goal
Daily story rewards motivate kids to keep progressing while offering a healthier alternative to addictive screen time from videos and games.
AI personalizes the story
Using AI, we can tailor the story to the child by incorporating them into the story and allowing them choose the characters and story type.
Choose your adventure style keeps the child in control
Giving children with ADHD the power to decide what happens next in the story helps build critical decision-making skills and supports their growth.
Research repeatedly links caregiver involvement to better academic, behavioral, and family outcomes for children with ADHD.4
See when the child slaps their bracelet
A slap signals frustration, pausing vibrations to give the child time to reset. Caregivers can view when and how often this happens.
AI generated summaries
A summary provides context and a possible explanation of what is going on to help caregivers interpret the data and understand what is happening.
Resources for additional help
Actionable next steps are displayed that directly relate to how the child is doing that day so caregivers can see what they can do to help their child.
Set specific times for focus
Total control over when the slap bracelet is activated for focus mode, allowing them to run, jump and wiggle to their heart’s content during breaks like recess and physical education.
Goal for the Research
- Deep understanding of what ADHD is and how it affects children aged 6-12
- General understanding of the types of devices suitable for this user group and how they’re used
- General understanding of what rewards are suitable for this user group and which would be most motivating
- Empathy and some understanding of what it is like to be a child with ADHD in school
Desk Research
Literature Review: Conducted a literature review of academic articles and specialized medical sites like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to gain an understanding of how ADHD affects children psychologically and medically.
Competitive Review: Minimal review of what products are currently on the market and where the gaps are in the market for this user group.
Interviews
Relaxed chats about their experiences while in class including when they felt they could focus best and when it was difficult.
Interview 1: Henry, age 7
Interview 2: Myla, age 11
Goal for the Research
- Deep understanding of what ADHD is and how it affects children aged 6-12
- General understanding of the types of devices suitable for this user group and how they’re used
- General understanding of what rewards are suitable for this user group and which would be most motivating
- Empathy and some understanding of what it is like to be a child with ADHD in school