From a single classroom to a citywide movement.

Origin

Neurodiversity HK began long before it became an organization; it started at home. Our founder, Ava, grew up in Los Angeles alongside her twin brother Jordan who is autistic and non-verbal. Therefore, their early relationship was characterized by trial, error, and patience as Ava looked for ways to truly connect with her brother.

Through that journey, she discovered a powerful bridge: sensory activities. It was through these shared sensory play and experiences that they found a way to bond, engage, and communicate. This early school partner of Ava's life gave her profound exposure and understanding of the challenges and techniques in relationships with neurodiverse individuals.

A Culture Shock & The Catalyst

After moving from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, Ava experienced a shift, one that was riveting. The way Neurodivergence was stigmatised engrossed her, a stigma she frequently witnessed, one that was tied to the culture itself. It was issues like public judgement that emphasised a painful lack of community.

Ava attended Canadian International School, while Jordan attended The Harbour School. She quickly noticed that her Neurotypical school friends had almost no exposure to Neurodivergent individuals. Driven by a desire to bridge this gap, a young Grade 8 Ava founded the Autism Awareness Club at CDNIS.

The heartbeat of the club was born out of that very stigma. It was out of it that Ava's lighthearted goal, to teach her peers was born. To teach them how to interact and how to understand the Neurodivergent community. In hopes that perhaps one day that both Jordan's friends and her friends could connect, hang out and have fun. Together.

The Progression

The club's message resonated deeply, and it quickly exploded in popularity. As more students stepped forward wanting to learn and understand a broader spectrum of neurodivergence, including ADHD and dyslexia, the initiative evolved. And to ensure no one was left out, it was officially renamed the Neurodiversity Club.

As the community grew, so did Ava's vision. She realized that bringing these two worlds together had a truly profound, and lasting effect. Her goal became clear: to build genuine compassion for the Neurodivergent community, starting with the youth.

How We Create Impact

Today, that exact philosophy drives everything we do. At all of our events and programs, we follow this rhetoric, building a deliberate and impactful model.

• 1 to 1 Buddy Pairing: We pair one Neurodivergant youth with one Neurotypical youth for shared activities.
• Building Empathy: By interacting as equals, peers develop authentic compassion and deeper understanding, abolishing preconceived stigma.
• A Future of community: The social skills and empathy learned in our programs don't stay in the classroom. Our youth take these experiences out into their schools, homes, and future workplaces, gradually transforming Hong Kong into a safer, more inclusive place for everyone.