NBCC were pleased to introduce to you our member, Tjerk Feitsma, Director at Neurodiversity Foundation.

Neurodiversity Foundation was founded on February 15, 2018, the Neurodiversity Foundation supports neurodivergent individuals, focusing initially on autism with the 2Tango.Signs project. Led by Tjerk Feitsma and a dedicated board, the foundation works to bridge gaps for neurodivergents and their communities, promoting cooperation, education, advocacy, and innovation to create a world that embraces all brain types.

Can you provide a brief introduction to yourself and your role at the Neurodiversity Foundation?

I am Tjerk Feitsma the director and founder of the Neurodiversity Foundation. I’m an Amsterdam-born serial social-impact entrepreneur, and GenX neurodivergent sociologist, fueled with the ambition to fast-forward a more neuroinclusive society for the generations to come. Neurodiversity Pride Day, the day to celebrate neurodivergence, each year on June 16th, is my favourite day of the year. 

The Neurodiversity Foundation was conceived in 2016 and founded in 2018 with a mission to bridge gaps between neurotypes and serve neurodivergents and their communities. 

What inspired the establishment of the foundation, and how has it evolved since its inception?

In 2016 very few people in the Netherlands understood or even heard about the concept of neurodiversity. We knew that introducing this new way of thinking would lead to a mindset shift and societal change in how neurodivergent people are perceived. We founded our non-profit organization after two years of preparation, with four core departments, as taskforces to nudge society towards a more inclusive place, where neurodivergent traits are welcomed and where those that need it, can advocate more easily for the accommodations or support they may need to thrive. 

The Neurodiversity Foundation focuses on serving neurodivergent individuals and promoting neuroinclusion. Can you elaborate on the foundation's mission and the core values that guide its work?

We strongly believe in the power of love, curiosity and compassion by a larger understanding of each other, and of how we differ from each other. We believe that we all would want to treat each other with the respect and dignity we all deserve if we could find a way to understand each other better. We believe that diversity is strength, and have actively opened our doors to many neurodivergents and their unique talents. We believe that solidarity between neurodivergent people will lead to a wave of emancipation, where the old illusions of normalcy are shed and replaced by the focus on individual strengths, rather than blindsighting on comparison of unfairly generalised averages. 

How does the Neurodiversity Foundation aim to bridge gaps and create a future that is equally welcoming to all brain types?

Our educational department, the Neurodiversity Education Academy, provides free courses, lessons, tools and teachings to many schools in the world, for whom the topic of neurodiversity is new. We aim to make it possible for these teachers to create neurodivergent-friendly classrooms, giving neurodivergent kids a better chance at growth and self-confidence. 

We also have created a community for late-diagnosed neurodivergents, to come together, and share with each other, in monthly themed community meetups. Because when you discover your neurodivergence late in life, there are few recourses available, and often, the best resource for learning, can be meeting your ND peers in a safe and brave place.

We have started a large and long-term research effort into the ability to use sign language within the family unit and create a revolutionary messenger tool that allows family members to understand each other better beyond the verbal channels we use most often, especially for those who experience communicative barriers.  
We are advising many organizations in the field of neurodiversity at work, with workshops, trainings, yearly programs, courses, keynotes, and so much more: all to jumpstart the process of ND talents being part of the workforce, while not feeling forced to mask their inner nature out of fear of stigma. 

We support many universities and spur small-scale research efforts into the wider field of neurodiversity and neuroinclusion, as well as having our own research agendas.

We influence politics, by lobbying above and below the radar, and pinpointing positive directions, for example in supporting the EU in adding a D&I criterium of neurodivergence, which is currently sorely missing, or providing politicians with and-friendly proposals to suggest in parliament. 

But perhaps, our biggest and most loved project is the rise of Neurodiversity Pride, with Neurodiversity Pride Day celebrated for the 8th time next year. Last year 15 countries were celebrating and we aim for 24 countries for the upcoming edition. Just like other pride movements celebrate their pride for their own groups, we as an organization felt in 2016, that it was crucial for neurodivergent people to have a day dedicated to allowing themselves to feel proud about themselves. And for allies and neuro-inclusive organizations to share their appreciation for the neuro-distinct in their teams, families and lives in a positive way. In 2025 the 8th celebration of Neurodiversity Pride Day on June 16th, and the full ND Pride period of activities ranging from 10-17th of June. We hope for ND Pride to become a global day of celebration, by seeing it added to the UN World Calendar, our long-term goal and wish for the world. We hope this day will lead to self-acceptance, as well as to love, compassion, to kindness, and see how this day helps to support neurodivergent people in their ‘coming out as ND’, and show their true self, to those they love and work with.    

Autism is the initial research focus of the Neurodiversity Foundation, with the 2Tango.Signs project as its first mission. Can you share more about these initiatives and their significance in advancing understanding and support for neurodivergent individuals?

As we see it, there is a lot to be won, when it comes to communication between people with different brain types. It’s rarely a lack of love, it's a human misunderstanding that plagues these dynamics and limits potential. When we see the love from parents for their neurodivergent kids, and the willingness to support them, coupled with the difficulty in doing just that, it shows us an opportunity for all families and teams where people are neurologically unalike. Where we see, that the neurotypical approach to communication is overly dominant, straining the ability for some to share their perspectives, we want to create the assistive technology that enables the space for other types of communication to be used, levelling the playing field. With Signs, we aim to have those understood, that felt most often misunderstood. We aim to support neurodivergents, and their loved ones, with a new approach to communication, and build something magnificent that is capable of scaling up to our goal of serving 10 million individuals in the next 5 years. And where we started with a focus on autistics, a strong faction in our organization, we’ve come to realize that what we are building, supports many types of neurodivergents and persons with communicative barriers. We want to live in a world, where all “voices” can be heard, even when words or verbal conversations cannot be used. We did not see non-niche projects aiming to attain this, and we aim to create a solution that can be used in a ‘mainstream way’ by many and for a long period of time.   

How does the Neurodiversity Foundation engage with neurodivergent individuals, their families, employers, educators, and other stakeholders to foster understanding, acceptance, and support?

While our funding is limited, the amount of volunteers that support our projects, is about 60 project leaders and collaborators for ND Pride, 50 researchers and research-fellows in the research department, a organizational team of 10 and about 50 volunteers and ambassadors and volunteers in varying projects. The organization is constantly growing with new neurodivergent folks wanting to support our mission, and they are very very welcome. Together, we make much more impact. 

We receive dozens of emails, weekly, from neurodivergent folks asking for help. Many seek advice on how to advocate for themselves. But also allies, friends, and team leaders of organizations chose to mail us for advice, as we love giving it, for it fuels our belief, that people want to treat each other well, even when they don’t know how yet. This is why ‘the platinum rule’ is at the core of our ideology: Treat another person how they want to be treated, instead of treating another person how you want to be treated. We cannot always help everyone, but we aim to support all who come into contact. 

To give rise to greater collaboration on the many smart minds in the field of neurodiversity, we create sessions, communities, and projects, that enable people of different minds to meet, work, and co-create. We have noticed a lot of stakeholders interested in learning more and making their organization or team more neuro-inclusive, and we love supporting them with the services they need. It’s also a way for us, to attain more funding for the growing list of projects we have.

How does the Neurodiversity Foundation advocate for the rights and needs of neurodivergent individuals, and how does it work to raise awareness about neurodiversity and inclusion?

We are active in local and national politics and even aim for the UN and the EU in our wish for positive change. Because when at this level, things change, it trickles down to us all. We look at the future, and dream ‘big and deep’, as part of a strategy to operationalize the potential outcomes, and boost them with projects, taskforces and efforts. When we started in 2016, our main aim was to introduce the concept into Dutch society, and later, into European societies (and beyond). We’ve come to understand, that it’s not just about the quick wins, on a proposal, on a policy, on a decision, even though these are important to show the inevitable progress. We aim to make it common, to advocate for your neurodivergent needs, for our neurodivergent community, consists of many people like ourselves, and combined our influence is a hundredfold larger than just us as a separate organization. It’s a movement of many, and we help build it or create space for others to step forward. In our more recent focus, we support the ‘conversion’ of positive intent, to actionable plans and implementation of actual change, for it’s not enough to only want to become more neuro-inclusive, it’s key to show that you mean it with action. This is essential for organizations, but it's also just as relevant to each of us: we all can do better. And this is challenging. Moving beyond the dream, and putting that vision back into the world, takes more energy, it needs heroes and champions to start that change. But it's what the future is all about, and it's what the people in our life currently, deserve.  

What is the Neurodiversity Foundation's vision for the future of neurodiversity advocacy and support, and what are its goals for furthering inclusion and understanding?

Our vision is crystalized into many separate parts all pointing to a clear but broad direction on the horizon, that allows people to shine in their own authentic nature, and lose the mask we put on, the ‘normal person costume’ that is strangling the vibrance of so many humans. Awareness is part of it, and where neurodiversity is discussed in the partners we have and beyond, it's a great start for a neuroinclusive journey that makes all aboard feel like they belong to the ship and its crew. “All Parts Whole, and All Parts Part of the Whole” is one of our popular sayings. Another core slogan is “What’s STRONG With you”, used often in ND Pride celebrations. It's (self) appreciation through ND Pride, where we see that self-confidence leads to participation, and to a stronger capacity to take on the outsized challenges we face individually. Love is our answer, and sometimes, more self-love heals inner wounds. But in the end, in the long-term there are bigger things at play: it is to gradually forge a new collective mindset, rooted deeply in policies and in culture, that changes this narrative that ‘being normal’ is the best thing to be, the thing to aspire to. It’s not. The world needs neurodivergents to shine in their own way, and if you look back on history, you will see that when that happens, it’s often the neurodivergent kind that leads progress for all mankind. And the mission to enhance neuro inclusion in society is no different from that.  

Is there anything else you'd like to share with our members about the Neurodiversity Foundation, your role in driving its mission, or the importance of neurodiversity inclusion?

We feel that it’s important to share, that when your organization or teams starts on the journey of neuroinclusion, you do not hire ‘neurotypical’ individuals or bureau’s to explain the nuanced realities of neurodivergent people. Please, just don’t. There are many ND professionals and ND-led companies that love supporting positive neuroinclusive change, both in the UK and NL, and have deeper insights, than any chatGPT or self-proclaimed expert without personal experience can manage. Prioritize neurodivergents in making your choice of who to ask for support in learning more about the topic of neurodiversity. If you don’t know who to ask, we’ll help you. Above or below the radar. 

The most important message we love to share with all NBCC members is the invitation to celebrate Neurodiversity Pride Day and/or ND Pride period of activities in 2025: its a best way to show your love to your neurodivergent team members they matter and are loved. It’s signalling to neurodivergent talent yet unhired by your teams that your organization is a solid and safe option to be recruited by. Its a clear message to the world, that your company feels like everyone belongs, and should be part, of it in an authentic and real way. Celebrate neurodiversity with pride! It may be with a message from leadership, a lunch, webinar, sports activity, posts, launching a neurodiversity network, there are dozens of ways to do so, and on neurodiversityprideday.com you can find options. But choosing to give attention to this important topic, choosing to celebrate neurodiversity, may just be one of the best ways to include those who feel excluded most. And that feeling of belonging, safety, and yes: love, that is what we all seek, in work and in life. Let’s create the atmosphere for that. This is your invitation, to celebrate Neurodiversity Pride 2025 in your organization.  

How can individuals or organizations interested in supporting neurodiversity and collaborating with the Neurodiversity Foundation get involved or contribute to its initiatives?

Hire us: We are here to support any organization wanting to become more neuroinclusive, we do many sessions, keynotes, trainings, etcetera: just ask, and we rarely say no, especially when we feel it could support your neurodivergent team members and the symbiosis of neurodiverse talents. Don’t expect free labour, and understand that you actually would like to pay for these professional services: By paying for that, or donating for our services, we can create new projects that make the world a better place for all neurotypes. Our effect, our worth to the world, has been calculated at about 4.3 million euros yearly in positive impact.   

Donate to the projects: We are here, to make the world better for all neurodivergents, as an independent neurodivergent-led organization, uninfluenced by governments or sponsorships. Our largest limitation to making more impact is the financial barriers we have to scale up. We need the money, to create more impact. So please: Donate, and yes, we gratefully accept your support, and we will feel it as a sign you want our charity to do more. Create a donation-action in your organization; for example with the Benevity platform or any other donation channel we use: it’s all welcome. Collaborate with us; yes, we would love to cooperate with your teams, if they can support our mission with their talents and skillsets. 

Join our movement as a volunteer: One of our founding statements, was ‘like us, if you like us, but work with us, if you want to work with us’; our doors are open for neurodivergent talent, volunteering for the cause of progress. Tell us what you can do, and what you can achieve with your skills: What’s STRONG with you?

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