A Dundee student has invented a board game to help raise awareness of unusual medical conditions.
Keira Ritchie was diagnosed with a mild case of neurological tic disorder at a young age.
The condition didn’t majorly affect the 21-year-old but reactions and judgements from others made her shy about talking about her condition.
Looking to create more awareness and acceptance for neurodiverse conditions and help children in the same situation, the Product Design student has now created an educational board game that encourages children to learn about their own brain, their friends’ brains, and how they can all function differently.
Called ‘Get A-Head!’ It can be implemented in the classroom and other settings.
It focuses on autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, neurological tic disorder, sensory processing disorder, epilepsy and dyspraxia.
Players compete against one another, answering questions about the neurodiverse conditions for the chance to move their counter ahead on the colourful board.
Keira designed the game as part of her final-year studies at Dundee University’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.
She is among hundreds of students exhibiting her work at this year’s degree show - which opens to the public this Saturday.
She said: “I was seven when I was diagnosed and didn’t really understand what was going on - it was quite difficult as I got older, especially moving up to secondary school.
“By introducing awareness at a younger age in a safe environment such as the classroom, we can create more awareness and acceptance for neurodiverse kids.
“At primary school, children are very open and accepting of differences.
“It's not until they reach secondary school and enter their early years of adolescence that they start to become influenced by external factors such as parents with outdated views, uneducated social media influencers or older siblings or peers that make offensive jokes about differences.
“These factors can lead to bullying which, sadly, I and many people I have spoken to have experienced growing up.”
Research suggests that one in 10 people in Scotland have a neurodiverse condition, however Keira believes more awareness is needed to encourage acceptance, and that this education should start in primary school.
“I would love to see ‘Get A-Head!’ go out into Scottish primary schools and maybe even all UK primary schools - it means so much that I have the opportunity to help other kids.”
- Entry to the DJCAD Degree Show 2022 is free, with further details available here.
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