NEW YORK. Struggling to manage the daily challenges of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), many individuals are now turning to artificial intelligence (AI) apps to help them stay organized and on task. Becky Litvintchouk, an entrepreneur from New York City, is one such person. Battling the overwhelming effects of ADHD, Litvintchouk credits AI tools like Claude for helping her navigate the complexities of her business, GetDirty, which produces hygienic wipes.
For Litvintchouk, AI has been a game-changer. “It’s been just massively instrumental. I probably would not be where I am today,” she shared, reflecting on her two-year experience with AI. The app Claude assists her in reviewing business contracts, allowing her to focus on the most critical aspects without having to read every word. She has also utilized generative AI to create detailed business plans by simply outlining her goals.
Experts Weigh In: A Helpful Tool, But Not a Replacement
While AI apps have proven beneficial for many people with ADHD, experts warn that they should be used with caution. Emily Kircher-Morris, a counselor specializing in neurodivergent patients, acknowledges the potential of these tools. “It really can help to hook people in, like, ‘Oh, this is kind of a fancy new thing that catches my interest. And so I really want to dig in and explore it,’” she noted. However, she also emphasizes the importance of not relying solely on AI.
John Mitchell, an associate professor at Duke University School of Medicine, echoes this sentiment. He advises that AI apps should be viewed as “one tool in a toolbox,” rather than a replacement for traditional treatments like developing organizational skills or taking prescribed medications. “If you’re kind of treading water in your job and AI’s a life preserver, well, that’s great you’re staying above water, but, you know, you still don’t know how to swim,” Mitchell explained.
AI Tools in Everyday Life
Beyond her business, Litvintchouk uses AI for everyday tasks that can be particularly challenging for people with ADHD, such as grocery shopping. She leverages ChatGPT to generate easy-to-make recipes along with corresponding shopping lists. Inspired by the benefits she’s experienced, Litvintchouk began sharing her tips on TikTok, creating videos to educate others about the AI tools that help her manage ADHD.
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT can break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, and some apps offer specific advice that mimics human interaction. Bram de Buyser, a software engineer, developed Goblin.tools with neurodivergent users in mind. Its most popular feature, “magic to-do,” generates detailed to-do lists from a single task and can even break down items further into smaller steps. “I’m not trying to build a cure,” said de Buyser, “but something that helps them out (for) two minutes out of the day that they would otherwise struggle with.”
Potential Pitfalls: Bias, Privacy, and Overreliance
While AI tools offer numerous benefits, they are not without their drawbacks. Russell Fulmer, a professor at Husson University, describes the research around AI and ADHD as “inconclusive.” He warns that AI may not work equally well for everyone, citing instances of racist and biased chatbot responses.
Valese Jones, a publicist diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, uses AI to assist with tasks like reading and responding to emails. However, she finds that the AI responses don’t always capture her unique voice. “I’m southern, so I talk like a southerner. There are cadences in my writing where you can kind of pick up on the fact that I’m southern, and that’s on purpose,” said Jones, who is Black. “It doesn’t pick up on Black women’s tone.”
Privacy is another concern. As AI tools become more integrated into daily life, users must weigh the benefits against the potential risks of sharing personal information. De Buyser envisions a future where AI chatbots function more like personal assistants, but he warns of the implications. “If you say, ‘Oh, I want an AI that gives me personal information and checks my calendar,’ you are giving that big company access to your emails, your calendar, personal correspondence, essentially your deepest, darkest secrets just so it can give you something useful back,” he cautioned.
As AI continues to evolve, experts urge those with ADHD to approach these tools as helpful assistants rather than substitutes for traditional treatment methods.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
