Knowing what to do isn’t always the hard part.
Sometimes a task feels too big. Sometimes the first step isn’t clear, or getting back to it feels harder than starting over. Peer Pals is being designed to help with those moments, without pressure or judgment.
Practical support, at your own pace. From homework to chores, routines, and self-care, the aim is to help you take the next step with more independence.
The goal isn’t to prompt someone forever. It’s to give them the right amount of support now and help them become more independent over time.
Learning from different kinds of support needs.
“Neurodivergent students” is broad, and Peer Pals should not assume one workflow fits everyone.
ADHD and executive function
Students who know what they need to do but get stuck starting, prioritizing, returning after a break, or finishing the last step.
Autistic students
Students who may benefit from predictable routines, clear steps, low-pressure check-ins, sensory-aware pacing, or nonverbal-friendly interaction.
Intellectual disabilities and related needs
Students, including some with Down syndrome or other learning differences, who may need more visual guidance, repetition, or caregiver-supported routines.
Parents and educators
We especially want to understand where students currently depend on adult prompting and where greater independence would be helpful.
Therapists and supporters
People who help students build routines, practice independence, or communicate what support feels helpful instead of overwhelming.
Still learning
The first version may need to work differently for different users. Feedback will decide what gets built first.
For parents and educators: Peer Pals is especially interested in where students currently depend on repeated adult prompting, and where the right tool could help them practice more independence without losing support.
A calmer way to get started.
Peer Pals is strongest when it reacts to why someone is stuck, not just what task they typed in.
Choose a task → say what’s making it hard → get a tiny first step → try a short work session → check in → get help if stuck.
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Choose a task
“Clean my room”
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Identify the obstacle
“It feels like too much”
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Tiny first step
“Pick up three pieces of clothing”
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Short session
“Try that for two minutes”
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Check-in
“Done, still working, or stuck?”
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Adjust
Offer a smaller step, a different approach, or a break.
Make it smaller
Break the task down until the first step feels safe enough to try.
Choose the first action
Suggest a concrete beginning instead of a full checklist.
Short focus mode
Offer a brief timer, a quiet work screen, and simple check-ins.
Clarify the task
Restate instructions, ask what’s confusing, or make the next question clearer.
Lighter version
Find a smaller version, pause, or choose a recovery step instead of pushing harder.
Pick up gently
Show where the student left off and offer one next step without shame.
What we’re exploring
Nothing here is final. Feedback from students, families, educators, and therapists will decide what actually gets built.
Task breakdown
Turn broad tasks into smaller, editable next steps.
Digital presence
A calm work screen that feels like support without needing a live person.
Visual routines
Clear routines for chores, school prep, self-care, and recurring tasks.
Voice support
Optional voice guidance for students who process better by listening.
Custom check-ins
Done, stuck, still working, break, or user-defined options.
Parent-created routines
Caregiver setup without turning the app into a control dashboard.
Nonverbal-friendly interaction
Ways to ask for help or choose support without typing a long explanation.
Timers and pacing
Short sessions, flexible breaks, and lighter versions for low-energy moments.
Optional peer support
Digital body-doubling or trusted peer presence may come later.
For the everyday things, too.
- Starting homework
- Getting ready for school
- Tidying a room
- Completing a household chore
- Following an everyday routine
Tell us what would actually help.
Peer Pals is still being shaped. Share what tasks are hardest, what current tools get wrong, and what kind of support would feel useful. You can give feedback without joining a pilot.
Keep it practical. No diagnosis or medical details are required. Share only what you’re comfortable sending by email.
Share your experience
Useful even if you never want to test the app. This helps decide what Peer Pals should build first.
Go to feedback formTest an early version
For students, families, educators, or therapists who may want to try a prototype and share what worked.
Join early testing groupBuilt from the student side of the problem.
Peer Pals is a student-led project being developed by Neelesh. He is seeking feedback from neurodivergent people, families, educators, and therapists to help shape an app that supports everyday tasks.
Body doubling—working alongside another person—is one influence on the experience. Peer Pals is exploring how a calm digital companion can offer practical assistance while helping students work more independently.
Peer Pals is everyday task support, not treatment, diagnostic support, or a replacement for professional care.
Share your experienceOptional peer support, later
We may explore ways to work alongside a trusted peer in a future version. The initial experience is designed to work without live matching.