Inclusion Stories FEST '22

A storytelling festival celebrating neurodiversity

This Friendship Day

Listen to different stories. Make new friends.

Through Aug '22

Why is this fest special?

This fest is for ALL kids. Not That Different is a unique movement to embrace neurodiversity. It is child-led and puts the onus of understanding neurodiversity on the majority viz neurotypicals for real inclusion. And what better way to get kids together than a Stories Fest?! Stories are for EVERYONE, right?

Kids are curious, free of judgement and will naturally grow up to be inclusive adults if they continuing to drive inclusion throughout school, college, workplace. It is also changing the narrative to one where the onus of embracing neurodiversity is placed on the neurotypicals who form the majority.

Neurodiversity? What and Why?

Neurodiversity is a viewpoint that brain differences are normal, rather than deficits. Neurodivergent people experience, interact with, and interpret the world in unique ways. This concept can help reduce stigma around learning and thinking differences.

Here is a moving message by Mugdha Kalra, autism activist, BBC 100 Women 21 and a special-needs mom on why we should care about neurodiversity.

Some common neurodiverse conditions include autism, dyslexia, down syndrome, dyspraxia, cerebral palsy?

Here is a moving message by Mugdha Kalra, autism activist, BBC 100 Women 21 but more importantly a special-needs mom on why we should care about neurodiversity.

Discover the Festival
Sessions

Playlist Fest '22

29 Videos
Events

Theme: What is this fest about? And more questions from young Bookosmians

Panel: Not That Different Founders Mugdha Kalra, Archana Mohan and Nidhi Mishra along with Shivani Dhillon, Award Winning Storyteller & Social Entrepreneur , Founder of Down Syndrome India and Samvid Stories and Beyond,  and Dr. Swati Popat Vats, President of the Early Childhood Association ECA which has a membership of 38,000 preschools countrywide, and president of Podar Education Network.

Watch the launch event here

Theme: Young Bookosmian readers interview well known children’s author Lavanya Karthik on her many books on inclusion – Neel on Wheels (wheelchair bound) When Adil Speaks, Word Dance (hearing impaired), A Walk With Thambi (sight impaired)

 

Theme: Mugdha Kalra talks about the need for Neurodiverse Parents to tell their own stories.

 

Theme:

Inclusive Books and Movies- By Bookosmian Teenagers| Stories for Inclusion Fest

Theme ‘Stories For Inclusion’ Fest at Not That Different(NTD), we pause to hear from kids, parents, caregivers and support organizations in the space to share why they feel their stories matter. Join in to listen in and share your thoughts. Hosted by Mugdha Kalra, BBC 100 Women’2021 for her work at NTD, in conversation
Shivani Dhillon-Award winning social entrepreneur and Founder, Samvid Stories,
Prachi Deo- Founder Nayi Disha, award winning resource and support centre for neurodiverse families
Pratima Bhinge & Jyotsna Kumar- Co-founders of Club Youngistan, a Virtual Learning Platform for the young adults with disabilities
Register in advance for this meeting:

Watch here-

YOUNG READERS ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF NOT THAT DIFFERENT INCLUSION BOOK AWARD 2022 AS PER POLL RESULTS

Participate

stories from neurodiverse kids adults bookosmia

Calling all Neurodiverse Kids / Young Adults.

How do we express ourselves? Through stories of course!

We want our children & young adults with neuro diverse needs to experience the joy of telling a story. Send in your entries to India’s first Storytelling festival for children & young adults with neuro diverse needs to ntd@bookosmia.com by 2nd Aug’22

You will receive – Inclusion Storyteller Certificate + Your story published on the Not That Different Website & Youtube Channel.

ND ambassador students bookosmia kids

Calling all Students, become a Neurodiversity Ambassador.

Send us in no more than 700 words as text or video ntd@bookosmia.com starting 10th Aug’22

3 things I didn’t know about neurodiversity, 2 things I will do differently and 1 letter to my new neurodiverse friend*

* You can send the name of one storyteller of the fest whose video you watched

You will receive – Neurodiversity Ambassador Certificate + Not That Different Goodie bag + Your submission published in our ebook.

Neurodiversity Ally Bookosmia Not That Different

Calling all schools leaders / educationalist, become a Neurodiversity Ally.

Send us in no more than 700 words as text or video, 3 things I did to make my school more inclusive

You will receive – Neurodiversity Ally certificate + School spotlight by sharing your best practice on website and social media.

Partners

Samvid is an organization that tells stories to anyone who wants to listen – children, teenagers, adults, professionals, teachers & corporates, specializing in working with people with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues.

A National Business Chamber for Women, Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, (WICCI) boosts and builds women’s entrepreneurship and businesses through greater engagement with government, institutions, global trade and networks. We are proud to have the Diversity & Inclusion Council of WICCI back the festival

Nayi Disha Resource Centre is a non-profit organization, that provides information, peer-support and hope to families affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Autism. We are delighted that they are leading participation for the fest from the


ir neurodiverse community.

Early Childhood Association (ECA, estb.2011) which has a membership of 38,000 preschools countrywide, Association for Primary Education and Research (APER). The Early Childhood Association (ECA) is that one stop connection needed by all for the enrichment, networking, awareness, and advocacy of childhood and everything that affects it. ECA aims to help professionals, teachers, people who deal with children. We are excited that because of them, our message of neurodiversity can reach  their 38,000+  member schools/ educators 

Online activity club for young adults with diverse needs and challenges.

Support Us

We are always looking for inclusive and integrated schools to partner with us and amplify the message of neurodiversity, for organizations / individuals who would like to sponsor some of our projects, publishers / distributors who help increase the reach of our books. Don’t hesitate to drop us a message at ntd@bookosmia.com if you can help us in any way.
And please don’t forget to gift a copy of the Not That Different Comic book to a child in your life .