Generally, it's nothing wrong with Neurodiversity. The circumstances are bothering me. All my efforts to raise the activity in the neurodivergent sections of the board didn't have the desired outcome. The forum is not only about Neurodiversity. It's about mods and gaming, too. I didn't say I gave up neurodiversity. It will always be a part of the Spectrum (just in a different form). I never considered it the central aspect of the board. Initially, it had the same importance as the modding/gaming sections, or rather I couldn't decide which one is more important. So I tried to concentrate on both subjects equally. Eventually, this contributed to my recent exhaustion besides other things (I slowly get better). But where should the focus of the board be now? I looked at how I see myself. I'm not only my neurodivergent conditions. I'm a mod user and a mod author for so many years. It's a big part of my life and my passion. The whole neurodivergent stuff came a lot later.
To be honest, I wasn't completely content with the Neurodiversity label but kept it because I had no ideas for "better" names at the time. At the very beginning, before the board came into existence, I only wanted to address mod authors on the Autistic Spectrum (hence the name of the board). Then I realized that this is too limiting. So I included the mod users that are autistic as well. The initial idea took on more and more concrete forms (see the
development thread on AFK Mods). Other neurodivergent conditions like ADHD or High Sensitivity were integrated. You can say that I extended the target groups each time.
Soon I wanted to address everyone. Because everyone can struggle in life, not only neurodivergent people. And now I remember how I got the idea to rethink the main emphasis of the board. I read Steven's description of Modding on the Spectrum in his
Helpful Links and References, Section 6 - Miscellaneous guide on Steam:
As gamers we've heard it all: "Why don't you get some fresh air instead of sitting in front of that screen?" "Playing games at your age? Shouldn't you be doing something useful?" "Haven't you got anything better to do?" and, even, "Why don't you take the grand-kids for a walk?" Not all the time, but I'm sure often enough. And as far as talking about the game to others, often we may get that strange, sidelong, look and "Uh, what are you talking about?" and so we find ourselves in a forum, where other like minded individuals may be.
But for some, and indeed all too many, there are other things, as well. Issues that some of us may deal with every day, issues that may make it harder for us to cope, issues for which even if you can talk about what is bothering you, people still just don't get the gaming part. Well now there is a place - a place for everyone to gather - whether they are just enthusiastic players of games, or also suffer from some personal challenges. Modding on the Spectrum. All are welcome! If you just enjoy games and like discussing them, that is the place. Do you find that you are afflicted with troubling issues and that gaming helps to alleviate those issues? That is the place! Do you like just shooting the breeze with others - even things not related to games - yes, Modding on the Spectrum is the place.
I had put the plans aside because they were things which had more precedence. My need to step back gave them room again. They are still a work in progress and therefore may be subject to change (i.e. when I got other ideas and/or take your suggestions into account).
Edit:
Regarding raising the actitivity in the neurodiversity hub, I forgot to try one thing:
Lifting the posting restrictions in the specific neurodivergent sections.
Edit 2:
I came up with a new idea for the restructuring of the Neurodiversity (soon "Life") hub.
[ Life ]
- About the Life hub*
- Mental Health
- Neurodiversity
* a link to a thread with a guide about where to post what in this hub. Additionally, it contains hints regarding the hide tag and the use of the (upcoming) neurodivergent tags ("ADHD", "Autism" and so on).
Edit 3:
I tested the idea from the second edit of this post in the test forum:
Modding on the Spectrum
