NYC is hosting the very first Neurodiverse Comic-Con: exclusive

NYC is hosting the very first Neurodiverse Comic-Con: exclusive

The conference will be the first of its kind.

New York City will host the first-ever neurodiverse comic con this year.

The event celebrates a unique combination: comicschildren’s books, and neurodiverse attendees. While the traditional comic con will feature international anime favorites like Naruto, One Piece, Dragon Ball Z and more, the Neurodiversity Comic Con will focus on children’s books and children’s authors, characters and artists who are also neurodiverse.

“We want to promote equity and belonging at our event by letting members of the neurodiverse community know there is a space for them to meet like-minded people with the same interests as them,” said Alex Parks, Assistant Director of Marketing and Outreach for the event . “[It’s also important that they] meet characters in comics and children’s novels who may resonate with them more than a neurotypical character would.

The event is organized by Gillen Brewer School, a private school specializing in children with a range of learning needs and disabilities. Conditions such as autism are common in the New York City area. About two percent of children between the ages of 2 and 12 in NYC are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, while nine percent have been diagnosed learning disability. However, neurodiversity does not just refer to those who are on the spectrum or have a diagnosed condition or disability. A Harvard health study defined neurodiversity as the idea that people’s brains work in different ways, and that there is no one “right” way for the brain to function.

According to the Pew Research CenterNew York serves the largest share of disabled students in the country, with 20.5% of total public school enrollment. Even earlier this year, Chalkbeat reported that 10,000 children with autism were excluded from education programs, while the city opened up only 160 seats.

While the traditional Comic Con is held in larger spaces like the Jacob Javits Center, the loud noises and bright lights can be a bit of a sensory overload for neurodiverse attendees. The neurodiversity comic con will be held in the Green Asphalt, a space much smaller than a place like the Javits Center, for a thoughtful but interactive time.

“This keeps the noise level down and makes it less overwhelming,” Parks explains. “But just in case an attendee needs to take a break, we are working closely with Calmer Con (an organization that hosts a similar event in Boston) to create a Cool Down Room during the event that will be quiet and softly lit. , and there will be fidgets and other relaxing activities for participants to enjoy until they feel ready to return to the other activities.

The idea for the convention came about after the school discovered that children wanted to attend Comic Con but found the event too overwhelming.

“As a PreK-8 school for students with a wide range of language-related learning disabilities, we thought our students would also enjoy a sensory-friendly event that celebrates comics, graphic novels and children’s books,” Parks continued. “We wanted the event to be open to the public so that everyone can come and celebrate neurodiversity

Sponsors and speakers including Archie Comics from the classic comic book series Archie’s Strange MysteriesScholastic, children’s author and illustrator Micah Song, comedian and children’s author Maysoon Zayid, actor and musician Perry Yung, and artist and writer Ramon Gil.

The event will take place on Saturday, November 9 and the convention will consist of two sessions. The morning session starts at 11am and ends at 1.30pm and includes a meet and greet, art with break, adaptive sports on the tarmac and a Rubik’s Cube session with the Intraspectrum Club. A second session with the same activities will take place at 1 p.m.

Adult tickets cost $20 and are available for purchase hereand the event is free for those under 18 (limit 3).

Parks hopes the ultimate goal of inclusivity is achieved and spread through the convention and beyond. “It helps raise awareness so that neurotypical visitors who are friends or family can have a better understanding of what it means to be neurodiverse.”