Who are we?
We are the Neurodiversity Foundation, a happy bunch on a mission to make the world a more neuroinclusive place, where every kind of mind feels welcome and valued. And guess what, we make games, too!
Why are we doing this?
Games have this wonderful way to communicate stories and create an avenue of expression. With the ability to give players agency (or even remove that agency) for the sake of a narrative, games give additional tools to tell a story. The game jam is an encouragement to use games and creating as a way to express experiences. While it can be seen as a form of self-advocacy, the goal isn’t to make games to be understood by a neurotypical audience but rather just a way to express in a way that is beneficial to you.
Additionally, making games can be seen as some very large and complicated process- this game jam is an attempt to encourage people to try and make a game and take that leap. The hardest step is the first one, and this game jam is trying to be a place where that first step is a little bit easier. Join us- even if you don’t make something complete, getting to work on a skill related to game design or getting to work with others you can learn from is beneficial too!
Finally- we wanted to build community! For those who play games, people who want to try game designing, people interested in studying games, people who have designed a few games and everyone in between who identify as neurodivergent. We want to develop a community that uplifts and celebrates each other, and supports one another through struggles.
Meet The People
Nedward (He/It) is a neurodivergent game designer, artist and researcher! He likes to make games that reflect on his experiences as a neurodivergent creator and does research on how neurodiversity is represented and talked about in online spaces- including in games. It started the Neurodiversity Pride Game Jam as way to encourage people to talk about their experiences of being neurodivergent in a way that was freeing or helpful for them. He is very passionate about trying to uplift all neurodivergent voices, especially those who continue to get ignored or sidelined. It goes by the online persona “Wakayrd” and you can find some of his work here: https://wakayrd.carrd.co
Caroline Jose is a neurodivergent researcher and community leader dedicated to advancing the rights, health, and inclusion of autistic people in Canada. Born in France, where she completed her PhD in Cellular Pathophysiology, and now based in New Brunswick, she draws inspiration from her own neurodivergent family—an autistic son and a daughter with ADHD—which fuels her commitment to cognitive diversity, social justice, and shared leadership. Her work focuses on the health and well‑being of autistic adults, and the creation of stigma‑reducing digital tools, including a video game co‑developed with autistic collaborators. Caroline serves as Vice‑President of the South‑East NB Autism Resource Centre, sits on the Wisdom Council of the Neurodiversity Foundation, and leads Canada’s participation in International Neurodiversity Pride Day.
