Why I Built My App 'Get Adulting' With Neurodivergent Users in Mind

When I first started working on Get Adulting, I wasn’t just building another to-do list app. I was thinking about how my brain works and how many of us with ADHD, autism, or executive functioning struggles are constantly expected to manage a million little life things with no roadmap and no support. There is no 'guide' to life, you just have to rely on the adults in your life and the education you come across.

I didn’t just want an app that reminded me to take out the trash. I wanted one that gently guided me through how to keep up with life when my brain doesn’t naturally think in checklists and calendar blocks. A lot of the to-do list apps or very manual and overwhelming.

So here’s the truth: Get Adulting was built for the people like me who often feel like we’re “behind” on basic life stuff, not because we’re lazy or careless, but because no one ever actually taught us, and our brains are wired a little differently.

A Tool That Actually Supports You

This app isn’t about being perfect. It’s about reducing stress and giving your brain a break. Everything in Get Adulting is designed to be clean, calm, and customizable, so it works with your life, not against it.

✅ Reminders That Make Sense: You can set reminders for things like dentist checkups, oil changes, or registration, and add context - like where you went, what you paid, or what kind of oil your car uses. Why? Because remembering you have a task is one thing… remembering all the details? That’s where it usually falls apart. You'll also see step by step list of how to check your oil via dipstick, all in one place.

🧠 Executive Function Friendly: Toggle sections on and off to keep your screen uncluttered. Don't have any pets? Turn off that section and never see it. Choose your app color to reduce visual overload (because not everyone likes purple). Log what’s done, and let the app gently nudge you before deadlines.

💡 Built-In Guides for When You Have No Idea Where to Start: Not sure what to do when your car makes a weird noise? There’s a guide for that. Need help deciding if you should go to urgent care or the ER? That’s in the app too. What about renting an apartment? Or understanding 401k? It's all there.

✨ Streak Tracker for Motivation: For those of us who love a little dopamine hit, the built-in Daily To-Dos section helps you track your daily tasks to help with habit building. Completed everything for the day? See a cute confetti animation!

Real Tools for Real Brains

Being neurodivergent means my brain doesn’t always process tasks the “traditional” way. I forget things that seem obvious to others. I hyperfocus and then completely burn out. I get overwhelmed easily when systems are chaotic or visually cluttered. So Get Adulting was designed to feel safe - visually soft, information chunked, and never yelling at you for being late. If you are overdue on anything, you'll see a little 'Hazard' icon over the section, gently reminding you without being in your face. I hate the little badge numbers on apps, and this gives that same feeling of bug to make sure you get it complete!

If you’ve ever cried because you forgot to get your car registration renewed (again), or stared at your meds trying to remember if you already took them today, or avoided calling the dentist for six months because ugh - this app is for you.

What’s Ahead

I’ve been lucky enough to hear from neurodivergent orgs, mental health advocates, and even schools who believe in this app’s mission. That means so much to me. I’m continuing to add features based on your feedback (yes, Android is coming!).

If you haven’t tried Get Adulting yet, I’d love for you to check it out. And if you know someone who might benefit from having a little more calm and clarity in their life, please share it with them. 💜

Get Adulting on the App Store

With so much love and understanding, Breanna