What happened during Neurodiversity Pride Day & ND Pride Week 2023?

Neurodiversity Pride Day 2022: Differentness Takes Courage – Embracing Courage, Connection, and Creativity

Neurodiversity Pride Day 2022 was a landmark celebration of neurodivergent identity, courage, and inclusion. Organized by Stichting Neurodiversiteit, this fifth annual event expanded to reach participants across six countries and included a record number of activities, designed to foster understanding, pride, and community among neurodivergent individuals and allies.

Theme: Differentness Takes Courage

This years theme reflects the bravery it takes to embrace and celebrate one’s unique neurodivergent identity in a society that often pressures people to fit neurotypical norms. Inspired by Kirsty Forbes’ poem Proud Autistic Women, this message resonated deeply with participants around the world.

A Growing Movement for Neurodivergent Pride

Starting as a small event in Rotterdam in 2018, Neurodiversity Pride Day has rapidly grown into a global movement. By 2022, the celebration was reaching thousands of people in six countries, with events both online and in person. Here’s a snapshot of where Neurodiversity Pride Day was celebrated:

• Netherlands: The host country held events across more than 30 cities, including flagship activities in Amsterdam, Leiden, and Utrecht.
• United Kingdom: In London and Manchester, in-person and virtual gatherings brought the neurodivergent community together for talks, performances, and networking.
• United States: American cities celebrated with virtual events and neurodiversity network gatherings, spreading the Pride message across states.
• Australia and Canada: These countries held workplace-oriented events, where companies used the day to establish neurodiversity networks and support groups.
• Indonesia and Philippines: Focused on youth engagement, these countries celebrated through workshops and cultural activities designed to connect neurodivergent young people.

In 2022, Stichting Neurodiversiteit aimed to further raise the profile of Neurodiversity Pride Day, encouraging more municipalities to formally recognize the day, and inviting companies and nonprofits to actively support neurodivergent communities. The ultimate goal remains a place for Neurodiversity Pride Day on the UN World Calendar, symbolizing universal acceptance and celebration of neurodivergent people worldwide.

A Rich Array of Activities for All

With each passing year, Neurodiversity Pride Day has grown in scope, and 2022 was no exception. This year’s events were designed to foster pride, connection, and joy, with a variety of engaging activities that allowed participants to connect in meaningful ways. Here’s an overview of the standout activities:

• Neurodiversity Showcase: This platform for neurodivergent poets, artists, and writers allowed attendees to experience diverse expressions of creativity, with powerful messages of self-acceptance and pride.
• Annual Neurodiversity Keynote and Neurodiversiteitsrede: The keynote speeches from inspiring neurodivergent leaders provided insights into the neurodivergent experience and the importance of courage and authenticity.
• NeuroEmergence Online Summit: This multi-day summit featured lectures, panels, and workshops led by neurodivergent professionals. Discussions covered education, workplace inclusion, and mental health, providing attendees with knowledge and community support.
• Virtual Reality (VR) Metaverse Experience: For the second consecutive year, a custom VR world was created with 10 interactive rooms where participants could celebrate, connect, and attend live-streamed events in a safe, inclusive environment.
• Flag-Hoisting Ceremonies: Held in over 30 cities worldwide, these ceremonies marked Neurodiversity Pride Day with the symbolic raising of the ND Pride flag. The act of flag-raising allowed neurodivergent individuals to feel recognized, seen, and celebrated.
• Stride Walks and Meetups: Neurodivergent participants and allies joined together for walks and casual gatherings in various cities, enjoying nature and relaxed conversation in an accessible, friendly setting.
• Art and Creative Workshops: Neurodivergent attendees participated in interactive art activities, including painting, poetry, and the colorful socks event. These workshops fostered creativity, self-expression, and connection among participants.
• Launch of Neurodiversity Networks: Many companies used the occasion to announce the launch of neurodiversity networks within their organizations, creating safe spaces for neurodivergent employees to connect and support each other.
• Corporate Lunches and Social Events: Corporate gatherings, such as team lunches and networking events, provided opportunities for neurodivergent employees to meet and discuss shared experiences in a supportive environment.
• Family-Friendly Programs: Special family-focused gatherings allowed neurodivergent children and their families to celebrate together in an inclusive setting. Activities were designed to be engaging and accessible for children of all ages.
• Dance and Music Events: Celebratory dance and music events in several cities created a joyful atmosphere, encouraging neurodivergent individuals to express themselves freely through movement and music.
• Interactive Panels and Discussions: Expert-led panels invited attendees to engage in open discussions about neurodiversity, covering topics such as workplace inclusion, mental health, education, and the impact of neurodivergence on daily life.
• Support Groups and Safe Spaces: Neurodivergent attendees could connect with others in safe spaces designed for mutual support, empathy, and understanding. These groups fostered connections and allowed individuals to share their experiences openly.
• Book Readings and Author Q&As: Authors of neurodivergent-focused literature held readings and Q&A sessions, offering insights and inspiring conversations around neurodiversity and self-acceptance.

Building a Movement with Far-Reaching Impact

Neurodiversity Pride Day 2022 garnered widespread support and attention. Over 100 organizations contributed to the celebration, with new partners and influencers from the neurodivergent community promoting the event across social media and raising awareness. The Neurodiversity Foundation also received significant backing from companies, nonprofits, and government departments, who acknowledged the importance of supporting neurodivergent individuals. Companies with over 100 employees were encouraged to launch neurodiversity networks, creating safe spaces for employees to connect.

These partnerships, along with media coverage, helped amplify the message of Neurodiversity Pride Day. Social media activity was particularly high, as participants shared stories, photos, and messages of pride, connecting with others and spreading positivity and acceptance.

Learning and Growing

Despite its success, Neurodiversity Pride Day 2022 highlighted areas for future improvement. Funding limitations underscored the need for more robust fundraising to keep up with the event’s growth. Additionally, some attendees were initially confused about the event’s focus, as “Pride” is often associated with LGBTQIA+ Pride. Clearer communication in the lead-up to future events will help clarify that this celebration is dedicated to neurodiversity.

Another challenge arose with the VR partner, who at times shifted focus away from the neurodiversity message.

Looking Toward a Brighter Future

Neurodiversity Pride Day 2022 was a powerful testament to the courage, strength, and beauty of neurodivergent identities. As the event continues to grow, we remain committed to fostering inclusion, acceptance, and pride. The vision is clear: a world where neurodivergent individuals are celebrated and valued, where differences are seen as strengths, and where everyone can proudly say they are accepted for who they are.

Plans are already underway for Neurodiversity Pride Day 2023, with ambitions to expand the event’s reach to more countries and attract even greater participation. Neurodiversity Pride Day’s growth is a promising sign that the world is moving toward a future of greater understanding, empathy, and inclusivity for neurodivergent people everywhere.

Keynotes

The main keynote of the year was delivered by Lyric Holmans.

Online Summit

There are many talks and keynotes this year, with over 45 speakers and even more panellists in all participating nations through the 3 day Neuroemergence conference. 

Find out more about the event