The first neurodiversity training was held!

In this issue, we report on the first neurodiversity training held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024!

Neurodiversity is a concept that stems from the diversity of our brains and nerves, and this applies to all of us. Because of these individual characteristics, we may feel “hard to live with”. We aim to build a society in which individuals’ brain functions and bodies are complemented and extended by technology, and the physical space, social systems, and customs are redesigned to eliminate the difficulty of living and allow each individual to demonstrate his or her “power” in his or her own way. As part of these activities, following the exhibition “Brain World 2023 for Everyone,” Blab has launched a neurodiversity training program.

Neurodiversity Training Overview

Neurodiversity training consists of “Knowing,” “Experiencing,” and “Creating. Through these three curricula, we encourage participants to understand each other’s different viewpoints and respect diverse ways of perceiving the world, leading to the realization of a neuro-diverse society.

1) Know: Toward the realization of a neurodiversity society (Lecturer: Nanako Ishido)

The students learned about the general concept of neurodiversity and learned about a society that respects neurodiversity through national and international trends and examples of innovations created by diverse organizations.

(2) Experience: VR experience “Atypical Visual World of People with ASD” (Lecturer: Shie Nagai)

Lecture and workshop by Prof. Shie Nagai (Project Professor, International Research Organization for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo).

In the latter half of the workshop, participants experienced the “ASD Perception Experience Simulator,” which was developed by Dr. Nagai in collaboration with Dr. Shinichiro Kumagai (Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo), an expert in research on people with developmental disabilities. By experiencing how the world of people with ASD looks in environments with different brightness and sound intensity, participants were able to experience symptoms such as visual hypersensitivity and visual blunting that people with ASD experience as if they were themselves.

The participants even went so far as to verbalize their feelings and communicate them to others, saying things like, “This is definitely dazzling. My eyes are flickering,” “The sound is different from usual, it sounds blurry,” etc. They even went so far as to verbalize what they felt and try to communicate their feelings to others. Having actually experienced the content, some participants talked about their usual sensations, saying, “Actually, I feel ~~.

(3) Create: Idea-thon (Lecturer: Nanako Ishido)

In this part of the seminar, after the two lectures, an idea-solving session was held using “problems cards” to think of concrete actions that can be taken toward the creation of a neuro-diverse society. Each group thought about “what kind of environment should be improved” and “what kind of society should be built” based on their specific problems.

Based on the ideas that came out of the group, the entire group shared their consideration and solutions to the problems.

Ideas from all six groups were diverse, ranging from those that could be put into practice immediately to those that one would wish there was such a thing.

From those who actually participated in the training

The VR experience (with the ASD Perceptual Experience Simulator) was intense and unforgettable.”
The VR experience (at the ASD Perception Experience Simulator) was very intense and unforgettable.
It was very stimulating to hear opinions and ideas that I would have never thought of.
I wish I could have come with my colleagues from my company.”

We have received many comments that they would like to participate in a second event if one were to be held.

For those interested

The B Lab Neurodiversity Project promotes understanding of neurodiversity and works to build a society in which each individual can demonstrate their individuality and “power” in their own place. As part of these activities, we will continue to plan training programs while enhancing the contents.

We are also open to consultation regarding the introduction of neurodiversity training into corporate training and other programs. We are also considering online training as well as in-person training, so please feel free to contact us.

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