Having diverse worlds and representing different types of people is a good thing. For something like skin colour, sexuality or gender it’s very easy to just say that your character posseses those qualities because it doesn’t necessarily change much about them. However, how do people feel about playing NPCs who are neurodivergent?

The main example I’m thinking of is someone with Down syndrome. I don’t have that lived experience to draw from because I don’t have Down syndrome, but I also feel that these people (like all people) can be valuable members of society and I don’t like to see them excluded. Therefore, I would want to see them in my fantasy worlds too. The problem is, I worry I’d mainly be falling back on stereotypes in a potentially harmful and offensive way.

EDIT: I would especially like other neurodivergent people to chime in, of course. Personally I really like to see representation for my neurodivergence in D&D and other literature, but also it can really upset me when it’s done badly and it’s worse than nothing at all

  • Sigilos
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    25 months ago

    I find it fun to play my characters with various symptoms of my own neurodivergence. And the occasional NPC in a game I’m DMing will stand out this way as well. I find it adds variety and makes things more real and interesting. A great way I found to include neurodivergence that can have game mechanics tied to it is Limitless Heroics by Wyrmworks, so you could check that out.