Using Amazon Alexa as an Assistive Technology Tool for Neurodivergent Employees
For neurodivergent employees, managing executive function challenges like time blindness, working memory difficulties and task initiation can significantly impact workplace productivity and wellbeing. With approximately 20% of the UK population being neurodivergent, understanding how everyday technology can provide reasonable adjustments is essential for creating truly inclusive workplaces.
Amazon Alexa, available on Echo devices, can function as a powerful “external brain” - providing the kind of cognitive support that helps neurodivergent individuals thrive at work and home.
This guide explains how Alexa can support employees with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia, with practical setup instructions employers and individuals can implement immediately.
Understanding Alexa as an Assistive Technology
Voice assistants aren’t just convenient. For neurodivergent people they can be genuinely life-changing. Unlike traditional reminders or apps that require you to remember to check them, Alexa provides proactive, multi-sensory support that works around common neurodivergent challenges rather than requiring compensation strategies that drain energy.
The key advantage is that Alexa reduces the cognitive load of remembering, planning and initiating tasks. These are the very executive functions that many neurodivergent people find challenging.
Managing Time Blindness: Support for ADHD and Autism
Time blindness - the inability to accurately perceive how much time has passed - affects many people with ADHD and autism. Traditional clocks don’t solve this because the issue isn’t seeing the time, it’s feeling it pass.
Visual Countdown Timers
On an Echo Show, say: “Alexa, set a 15-minute timer”
A visual countdown appears on screen, providing a tangible representation of time passing. This external visual reference compensates for the internal time perception difficulties many neurodivergent people experience.
Workplace Application: This can be invaluable for time-boxing tasks, managing meeting preparation time or taking appropriate breaks without losing track of the working day.
Hourly Time Anchors
Set Alexa to play a brief chime every hour to create regular time “anchors” throughout your day. This prevents “scrolling paralysis” or hyperfocus from causing hours to disappear unnoticed.
How to Set Up: In the Alexa app, go to Routines > Create Routine > Set the trigger to “Schedule” and select “At Time” with hourly repetition. Choose a gentle chime as the action.
Transition Routines
Creating transition routines helps with the difficulty many neurodivergent people experience when switching between tasks or leaving the house.
Example Routine: Set up a “Leaving the House” routine (inspired by Sam Thompson’s UK campaign with the ADHD Foundation, since closed in 2025):
- Trigger phrase: “Alexa, I’m going out”
- Alexa announces: “Don’t forget your keys, phone and to check the hobs are off”
- Plays an upbeat song to maintain momentum
Workplace Application: Create routines for “Starting Work”, “Lunch Break” or “End of Day” to help with work-life boundaries and task transitions.
Supporting Working Memory: Essential for ADHD and Dyslexia
Working memory difficulties mean information can disappear from your mind almost immediately. Alexa provides an external memory system that’s always available.
Voice-Activated Lists
Instead of searching for a pen or opening an app, simply say: “Alexa, add [item] to my shopping list”
Access this list on your phone while in Tesco, Sainsbury’s or anywhere through the Alexa app.
Workplace Application: Use this for task lists, meeting action items or ideas that occur during the workday. Create multiple lists like “Work Tasks”, “To Research” or “Email Later”.
Item Location Memory
Tell Alexa where you’ve put important items: “Alexa, remember my passport is in the hallway cupboard”
When panic strikes later, ask: “Alexa, where is my passport?”
Workplace Application: Use for tracking work equipment, documents or items borrowed from colleagues.
Context-Rich Reminders
Rather than setting a generic alarm, use verbal reminders that tell you what to do: “Alexa, remind me to take the laundry out in 45 minutes”
The verbal prompt eliminates the “What was I supposed to do?” confusion that often accompanies standard alarms.
Supporting Task Initiation and Sequencing: Dyspraxia and Autism Support
The “Where do I even start?” paralysis is real for many neurodivergent people. Breaking tasks into steps helps but you need to remember the steps first.
Step-by-Step Task Routines
For complex tasks like “Cleaning the Kitchen” or “Preparing a Presentation”, create multi-step routines where Alexa:
- Speaks the first step
- Waits for 5 minutes (or until you say “Next”)
- Provides the next instruction
This eliminates decision fatigue and provides external structure for task completion.
Workplace Application: Create routines for regular work processes like “Weekly Report Preparation”, “Client Meeting Setup” or “End of Month Tasks”.
The setting of the routine can be a challenge for some who are neurodivergent. AI tools like Google Gemini, ChatGPT or Claude can be used to design the routine. Simply ask your favourite generative AI to breakdown the tasks involved and give you instructions on how to set up this routine within the Alexa app.
Voice-Controlled Smart Home Safety
For employees with dyspraxia who may experience fine motor control difficulties, smart plugs and bulbs controlled via Alexa remove the need to fumble with small switches, particularly in the dark or when hands are full.
Say: “Alexa, turn on the office lights” or “Alexa, turn off the desk lamp”
Reading and Number Processing: Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Support
Processing written text and numbers can be exhausting for people with dyslexia and dyscalculia. Alexa provides alternative input and output methods.
Text-to-Speech (OCR)
On an Echo Show, hold up a physical letter - such as an NHS appointment letter, utility bill or work document and ask: “Alexa, read this”
Alexa will use optical character recognition to read the text aloud.
Instant Mathematical Conversions
Skip the mental arithmetic and potential errors. Ask:
- “Alexa, how many grams are in 4 ounces?”
- “Alexa, what is 15% of £42.50?”
- “Alexa, convert 180 centimetres to feet and inches”
Workplace Application: Invaluable for anyone working with measurements, calculations or international conversions.
Audible Integration
Link your UK Audible account to Alexa to “read with your ears” while doing low-cognitive-demand tasks like commuting, exercising or household chores.
Say: “Alexa, play my Audible book”
Essential Alexa Features for UK Neurodivergent Users
| Feature | Best For | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Focus Time | Task paralysis, distractibility | “Alexa, start Focus Time” – plays ambient music and blocks non-emergency notifications |
| Sticky Notes (Echo Show) | Visual working memory support | “Alexa, put a sticky note on the screen: ‘Pay the Council Tax’” |
| Announcements | Transition difficulties, time management | Set daily announcements like “6 PM: Work is over, close your laptop” |
| NHS Health Information | Health management, medical appointments | “Alexa, what are the symptoms of [condition]?” – provides verified NHS UK information |
Customising Alexa for Sensory Needs
Many neurodivergent people find the standard “Alexa” wake word either difficult to pronounce or uncomfortably personified. You can change it in the Alexa app settings to:
- Computer (preferred by many autistic users)
- Echo
- Ziggy
This small adjustment can significantly reduce social friction and sensory discomfort during daily use.
Implementing Alexa as a Workplace Adjustment
For Employers
If an employee requests Alexa as a workplace adjustment following a Workplace Needs Assessment, consider:
- Cost: Basic Echo Dot devices start at approximately £25-50, Echo Show devices at £80-250
- Reasonable Adjustment: This is typically a low-cost, high-impact adjustment under the Equality Act 2010
- Implementation: Devices can be used both at home and in office environments
- Privacy: Ensure GDPR compliance if used in workplace settings
Many of the adjustments needed for neurodivergent employees are low or no cost, they simply require thinking differently about how we support people to do their best work.
For Employees
When requesting Alexa as a workplace adjustment:
- Be specific about which executive function challenges it addresses
- Explain how it will improve your productivity and wellbeing
- Reference this as assistive technology, not just convenience
- If appropriate, request it as part of an Access to Work application
Understanding when and why you need a Workplace Needs Assessment can help you articulate your requirements clearly and access the support you need.
Limitations and Considerations
While Alexa provides excellent support, it’s important to acknowledge:
- Privacy concerns: Some people are uncomfortable with always-listening devices
- Internet dependency: Requires stable WiFi connection
- Learning curve: Initial setup requires some technical confidence
- Not a complete solution: Should be part of a broader support package, not the only adjustment
Supporting Neurodivergent Employees: The Bigger Picture
Technology like Alexa is one tool in a comprehensive approach to neurodiversity inclusion. At Silk Helix, we believe neurodiversity should run through everything you do in HR from recruitment and onboarding to performance management and workplace adjustments.
Truly inclusive workplaces are neurodivergent-friendly by design, which benefits everyone, not just those identifying with specific conditions. Understanding how assistive technology supports executive function is part of creating environments where all employees can do their best work.
Neurodiversity awareness training helps managers and teams understand not just what neurodivergent conditions are but how to create genuinely inclusive work cultures. Our training for managers goes beyond awareness to provide actionable tools and confident day-to-day support strategies.
If you’re looking to better support neurodivergent employees in your organisation, our Workplace Needs Assessments can identify individual requirements.
Are there alternatives to Amazon Alexa?
Yes, Google Home and Apple HomePod offer similar features. However, Amazon’s partnership with the ADHD Foundation UK means Alexa currently has the most developed neurodiversity-specific features for UK users.
Ready to Create a More Inclusive Workplace?
Understanding neurodiversity is just the beginning. If you’re looking to build a workplace where neurodivergent employees can truly thrive, we can help.
- Book a free consultation to discuss your neurodiversity inclusion strategy
- Explore our neurodiversity awareness training for employees
- Learn more about our workplace needs assessment service
Article last updated: 15 February 2026