The Divergent Gift

Meet Jordan James: award-winning photographer, podcast host, and one of the featured voices in "The Divergent Gift: Unboxing Autism."

As one team member, Aaron Trost, shared, "I saw a lot of my own traits reflected in the stories of the speakers. Traits and feelings that I previously never knew how to even put into words were being expressed so beautifully.”

This film is by the community, for the community.

This isn't a documentary told from one angle. It's a layered, collective effort to capture the fullness of what it means to be Autistic, from the challenges and nuance to the insight, humor, and power that come with being wired differently.

Behind the animation, editing, and storytelling of "The Divergent Gift: Unboxing Autism" is a team of Autistic and Neurodivergent creatives, many of whom saw their own experiences reflected back as they worked on the film.

#thedivergentgift #actuallyautistic #neurodivergent #neurodivergence

Our subjects Eric and Jordan say a lot in just a few words. Neurodivergence isn’t about fitting into one label—it’s about acknowledging the full picture, and making space for people to show up as they are.

#neurodivergence #neurodivergent #autism #thedivergentgift

"If you accommodate people, accentuate the positives—that’s really the beginning seeds of the whole idea of neurodiversity.”

At its core, The Divergent Gift isn’t about answers. It’s about opening a door—to stories, perspectives, and identities that often go unseen.

Director Bret Malley shares what he hopes audiences take away from the experience.

#actuallyautistic #neurodivergent #thedivergentgift

This isn’t just about individual challenges. It’s about environments that often fail to accommodate and support neurodivergent needs.

Mental health advocacy must include neurodiversity, or it falls short.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to center the realities of Autistic adults.

Roughly 20% of Autistic adults are diagnosed (or misdiagnosed) with anxiety disorders—compared to 8.7% of the general population.

This isn’t just about individual challenges. It’s about environments that often fail to accommodate and support neurodivergent needs.

Mental health advocacy must include neurodiversity, or it falls short.

#neurodivergent #neurodivergence #autism #thedivergentgift

During Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to center the realities of Autistic adults.

Roughly 20% of Autistic adults are diagnosed (or misdiagnosed) with anxiety disorders—compared to 8.7% of the general population.

This film was made to reflect that reality. To show the depth, the challenges, and the value of neurodivergent perspectives—in all their complexity.

#neurodivergence #neurodivergent #actuallyautistic

Dr. Morénike Giwa Onaiwu’s words get to the core of what "The Divergent Gift: Unboxing Autism" is all about. Autism isn’t something to fix—it’s a different way of thinking, moving, and experiencing the world.

www.eventbrite.com/e/sneak-peek...

Join us tomorrow for a special sneak peek + fundraiser event for The Divergent Gift: Unboxing Autism!

Come connect with community and help us raise the funds needed to bring our documentary across the finish line.

🗓 Friday, April 25, 5:30pm
📍 Place to B
🎟 Link in replies to RSVP!

Our next sneak peek event is Friday, May 9th at 5:30pm! Learn more here: www.eventbrite.com/e/sneak-peek...

The Divergent Gift: Unboxing Autism Trailer As an upcoming documentary, The Divergent Gift: Unboxing Autism focuses on deepening positive autistic identity through visualizing the various unseen struggles, challenges, gifts, abilities, and inte...

✨Checkout the trailer :-)✨ A fim made by the Autistic and Neurodivergent community, for the community—and beyond! ❣️ funnelbox.wistia.com/medias/z30v1...

Donotation link thanks to our nonprofit fiscal sponsor, The Portland Art Museum: fundraise.givesmart.com/form/88kj6Q?...

✨We’re almost finished!❣️ We just need support for our amazing (and Autistic, of course!) composer (Laura Nadine!). Donating is tax deductible and will help us complete this groundbreaking documentary—funds go DIRECTLY to the Autistic artist(s) that make up the very fabric of this project. Join us! 🖖

“Growing up, being Autistic itself didn’t create challenges for me—but being Autistic in a world that is not Autistic friendly—in an ableist world—created a number of challenges for me”

—Dr. Morénike Giwa Onaiwu
From the upcoming documentary: The Divergent Gift; Unboxing Autism