10 Tips for Planning Neuro-inclusive Events

‘Neurodivergent’ is a non-medical term that describes people whose brains develop or work differently. As defined by the Cleveland Clinic, “This means the person has different strengths and struggles from people whose brains develop or work more typically (neurotypical). While some people who are neurodivergent have specific conditions, such as ADHD, it also applies to people where a medical condition or diagnosis hasn’t been identified.”

Only recently, as awareness of neurodiversity has grown, have meeting organizers taken steps to create inclusive environments to keep this group of attendees from feeling alienated.

Here are 10 things planners can do:

1. Educate Yourself, Your Staff and Your Attendees

Create awareness among attendees of exactly what neuro-inclusivity is and how event organizers are working to accommodate these attendees. Consider training your event staff about the needs of neurodivergent attendees, or partner with an agency that provides staff with specialized training. Having this support structure in place gives neurodivergent attendees the peace of mind that comes from knowing that skilled people will be available to assist them if needed.

2. Watch Your Sound

Sound = Overstimulation. Avoid loud noises at your event, or include a warning on the program in advance, so that attendees are not surprised. Create a quiet room where there is substantial noise reduction, to give attendees the opportunity to reset when they feel overwhelmed. Consider providing headphones to cancel out noise further, or for them to privately play their own music.  

3. Avoid Bright or Flashing Lighting

Bright lights, coupled with the visual effects typically used at events, can also be overstimulating for neurodivergent attendees. Use lights that face up to avoid the glare, or soft lighting.

4. Accommodate Stimming

Some neurodivergent people engage in self-stimulatory behavior, also known as stimming. It usually involves repetitive behavior such as rocking or repeating words or, in extreme cases, skin picking and headbanging. Consider providing an environment where attendees can feel comfortable stimming, possibly offering them tools to stim with, like fidgets.  

5. Offer Access to Refreshments and Meals

Make sure that attendees who choose to spend time in the quiet room have access to the same refreshments offered at the event, and to eat their meals there if they choose.  

6. Go Fragrance-Free

Ideally, events should be fragrance-free or use fragrances that do not overwhelm people or trigger sensory overloads. Some essential oils, such as lavender and eucalyptus, are known for their calming effects — or use nothing at all.

7. Consider your Colors 

Bright colors can cause sensory over-stimulation. For this reason, neutral or muted color palettes are better for dedicated spaces for neurodivergent attendees. 

8. Go Hybrid

For some neurodivergent people, the stress of social interaction and the skills required to attend a live event keep them from doing so altogether. Hybrid events offer them a chance to still participate.

9. Provide Session Recordings and Transcripts

Many event tech providers can now provide recordings of sessions, with subtitles, or AI transcripts.

10. Be Open to Feedback

When planning a neuro-inclusive event, it’s crucial to ask questions and be open to feedback before, during, and after an event. Planners can either send out an anonymous survey or have people stationed on-site to receive feedback.