Neurodivergents Unite
Overall purpose:
To provide a space where neurodivergents (millennials and Gen Z)from all kinds of backgrounds can gather together, have discussions, share, connect, and feel safe being themselves. It is also completely free!
Who is this for?
This group is primarily aimed at Millennials and Gen Z who are diagnosed with or suspect that they have a neurodivergent condition. These include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, among others. However, anyone, neurodivergent or not, is welcome to attend.
Duration: 2 hours
It's encouraged to bring water or snacks. Otherwise, people can come as they are.
The event is divided into three rounds:
Round 1: Fun and Light Dialogue
You will get into groups of 4 to 6 depending on the number of people present. Group members will choose one question or prompt at a time. If time permits, they can answer them all, and go their own direction in the discussion.
Round 2: Contact-Themes
In this round, each group will play the word game "Contact", but with a little twist. There are different versions of Contact, and an overview of the version for this event is outlined below:
Person A, the defender, has to come up with a word(let's say "cookie"). They reveal the first letter only("c"). The other players work together to get A to reveal more letters to be able to guess the word. No hyphenated words.
Next, someone else, person B in this case, says a clue or question out loud hinting a word that starts with the letter "c"(ex: Something that tastes sweet, caramel). If anyone aside from person A thinks that they know person B's word, they say "Contact!" There's no limit on the number of players aside from A and B who can say "contact."
Person B counts down from 3, and then, immediately, they and whoever said contact needs to say the word. If not all of them can say the same word, Person A doesn't add a letter, and the people need to come up with another clue. If everyone who says "contact" does match person B's word, Person A does need to reveal their next letter.
Person A can defend by interfering at the end of the countdown, and saying "not" followed by Person B's word. If A guessed the correct word(here, "not caramel"), they defended successfully, and the rest of the group needs to come up with more clues.
If Person A cannot defend as outlined in step 2, they have to reveal their next letter,(now "co").
Steps 2 and 3 are repeated until someone can correctly guess Person A's word, or the group gives up on figuring it out. Whoever gives the final clue that leads to person A's word being guessed, is the winner, and becomes the next Person A, or defender.
The Twist: The first defender will receive a prompt card with a list of themes written on it, one already circled. Their word must be related to the theme. The person who gives the winning clue, will be handed this prompt card by the defender, but, the defender chooses the next theme for them, crossing out the first theme and circling another. This is repeated for each gamed finished. If the guessers can't figure out the defender's word and all give up, the defender can choose whoever they want to pass the next theme onto.
Round 3: In-Depth Group Dialogue
This round is similar to round 1, but the questions are more serious in nature, and related to life as a neurodivergent, and encourages members to communicate their opinions and philosophies in a judgement-free zone.
End:
Closing discussion and more.
Breaks and sensory accommodations: There will be breaks lasting around 10 minutes in between rounds to give people time to decompress and loosen up before the next round.
People are encouraged to excuse themselves as needed during a round to take a sensory break. Also, fidget/stim toys are encouraged if they help. We want everyone to feel comfortable and safe. Of course, if you need to leave the event early for any reason, that is completely understandable.