This project presents the development and implementation of a toolkit designed to embrace neurodiversity within design teams, fostering inclusivity and enhancing collaboration. Design teams are increasingly recognized for their potential to drive innovation through diversity. However, while diversity in gender, nationality, and expertise has been embraced, neurodiversity remains an overlooked dimension. Neurodiversity refers to the variation in cognitive functioning that naturally occurs within the human population.

Design teams often overlook neurodiversity, missing out on unique perspectives and innovative solutions. Neurodiverse individuals posses unique traits in the form of challenges and strengths which impact team dynamics and performance. This toolkit is designed to help design teams understand and leverage each other’s unique strengths and challenges to foster a more inclusive and collaborative team environment.

The toolkit consists of several key elements: trait cards to help identify and discuss neurodiverse traits, prompt cards to guide structured and meaningful conversations, puzzle pieces to symbolize the unique contributions of each team member, a comic to introduce the concept of neurodiversity in an engaging manner, an instruction sheet for clear guidance, and a sticker sheet for personalizing puzzle pieces. Through these components, the toolkit aims to create a supportive environment where all cognitive styles are valued and leveraged for collective success.

This project underscores the importance of recognizing and embracing neurodiversity, ultimately leading to more effective, collaborative, and innovative design teams.