For parents
When "five more minutes" isn't enough.
For many children — especially those with ADHD or on the autism spectrum — time is invisible and abstract. Transitions become battles. Waiting feels endless. MyEmy was built to fix that in the gentlest way possible.
Why visual timers help ADHD & autism
Children with ADHD often have a weaker sense of time — a phenomenon researchers call "time blindness." Autistic children often need predictability to feel safe. A visual timer answers two questions at once: how long and what next. Both are essential for calm transitions.
Everyday moments MyEmy helps with
- Ending screen time without a meltdown
- Waiting for dinner to be ready
- Brushing teeth for a full two minutes
- Car rides and appointments
- Waiting for a sibling's turn
- Bedtime routine steps
What makes MyEmy different
Most timer apps count numbers. MyEmy shows a shrinking colored ring — the same visual approach recommended by occupational therapists — and lets you place a picture in the middle showing exactly what comes next. That combination turns waiting into anticipation.
Research & evidence
Visual timers and picture-based supports are backed by research for children with ADHD, autism, and developmental disabilities. Here are some of the studies and resources that guide how MyEmy is built.
- Hayes, Leader, Healy & Grey (2009)Using a Time Timer to increase appropriate waiting behavior in a child with developmental disabilities.
- Janeslätt, Kottorp & GranlundEvaluating intervention using time aids in children with disabilities.
- Campillo et al. (2014)Using Tic-Tac software to reduce anxiety-related behaviour in adults with autism and learning difficulties during waiting periods.
- Hallez & Vallier (2025)How visual timers affect anticipatory anxiety, performance, and on-task behavior in elementary students.
- VizyPlanTeaching waiting and patience to your neurodivergent child.
- Texas SPED SupportVisual countdown — a teacher-controlled transition support.
Designed with sensory needs in mind
Soft colors. No flashing animations. Optional gentle chimes or full silence. Big buttons so children can start the timer themselves — which builds independence and reduces frustration.