On March 15-16, all misfits are being called to a free two-day event for teens and adults who are autistic or have ADHD.

This event is all about creating a space for discussions, connecting people and providing an opportunity for neurodivergent individuals to be celebrated for who they are and to connect with like-minded people who “get” them.

At the event, there will be speakers, small group discussions and time to connect and eat some great snacks.

The Island of Misfits was created to connect people who were isolated and struggling to find community and to create a safe space for discussions.

The event will be held at Historic Village at the Creative Community Campus and the Village Cinema, where groups can book a lower sensory screening.

Event poster. Photo supplied.

“Neurodiversity isn't something to be ashamed of or hide, but it's something to celebrate and embrace,” says Island of Misfits founder Emma Cox.

“It's just a different way your brain is wired. Sure there are challenges but there are also strengths. It has positives and negatives just like anything.

“Every person who is neurodivergent is different- because we are all individuals- each with a different combination of strengths and weaknesses, life experiences and personalities, and each with a different combination of traits and support needs, that can fluctuate depending on the day.”

Emma says the community needs to create spaces where all kinds of brains can thrive and contribute.

This is an event for teens and adults who are autistic or ADHD.

Self-diagnosed people are welcome as well as not everyone has a diagnosis.

The age group is 16+ and it will mainly be teens and young adults because that's the age group the Island of Misfits is aimed at, but older adults are welcome too.

Attendees of the By Autistics For Autistics event, at the Creative Community Campus in 2022. Photo supplied.

“We are very excited to partner with the Incubator and Sonic Cinema again as it was a fantastic venue last time and we love getting our group involved in their creative community,” says Emma.

“I originally started the Island of Misfits as a way to connect people who were isolated and struggling to find community and to create a safe space for discussions.

“I am autistic myself and was diagnosed when I was 4.

“Growing up different was hard for me as I felt ashamed for being autistic.

“People didn't really know as much about autism in the early 2000s so there was a lot of stigma, and a lot of it was based on stereotypes.

“I am very empathetic and social and I felt ashamed of having a label that supposedly said ‘I couldn't relate to others’.

“As I got older I slowly came to realise that I didn't have to be ashamed of being autistic, people could love me for all of me and I didn't have to hide who I was.

“I wanted to create a space where people could be accepted and find hope and purpose.

“In 2020 I approached a Parent Support group called Aspergers Connections, now called Spectrum Connections.

“They suggested I could come along to their support group and maybe I would connect with parents who had teens or young adults.

“I did that and soon enough I made a lot of different connections with young adults who were quite isolated. I thought I needed to bring them together, and the Island of Misfits was born.

“When the opportunity to run a By Autistics For Autistics event arose in 2022, I jumped at the opportunity.

“This is the second time we have run it. Last time we called it By Autistics For Autistics because it was a workshop for autistics.”

Emma says this time they are calling it ‘By Misfits For Misfits’ to broaden it to be not only Autistics but also for those with ADHD.

A campfire at one of the first Island of Misfits potlucks, in 2021. Photo supplied.

“Misfit might sound like a negative word to you but I guess it's just embracing that yeah, some of us might feel a bit weird at times, but when we come together we realise that it's okay to be a bit different and we don't have to hide or feel ashamed of that, and that there are others around us who get it.

“A group of teens and young adults from my Island of Misfits group are running the event alongside me and this provides a lot of leadership opportunities for them, to get experience in planning for an event, small group leading, MCing or whatever they might help with on the day.

“We have Tamara Grant from Xabilities coming as one of our speakers, who came to our event in 2022 and is coming again.”

Jane Ford who works for Parent to Parent, an organisation that supports families who have a child with a disability or is neurodivergent, says "Having Emma and her Island available to our neurodivergent youth is a godsend.

“Being able to offer her support and offering our people a safe space to connect and be with others who get them is priceless,” says Jane.

“I think something awesome is happening right now in the community,” says Emma.

“If we continue working together and creating spaces where neurodivergents are welcome and accepted, we will be on the way to building a thriving neurodiversity community in Tauranga Moana.”

Register for the event here- spaces are limited.