The platform connects families, educators and organisations with practitioners, inclusive resources and practical tools to move from intent to action.
Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Sept 15: The Misfit Collaborative today announced the launch of its neuro-affirming discovery platform designed to help caregivers, educational institutions and businesses find trusted support for neurodivergent children, students and employees.
Nearly one in eight Indian children between the ages of two and nine live with a neurodevelopmental condition – that could be more than 20 million children, a population larger than Sri Lanka’s. Yet for most of their families, finding a trusted therapist, an inclusive school or a workplace that understands them is still guesswork. (source: CNN) Also, about 39% of 18–24-year-olds in the Indian workforce self-identify as neurodivergent, making it imperative for corporates to pave the way for a neurodiverse community in the job market (Nasscom).
Built to address a persistent gap between good intentions and effective action, The Misfit Collaborative is a hub for neurodivergence awareness, resources and community in India. It brings together practitioners, practical resources, assessments, guides and learning content in one place. The platform supports parents and caregivers seeking reliable therapists, psychiatrists, special educators, and other professionals; educators looking to create inclusive classrooms and sensory spaces; and organisations working to build truly inclusive workplaces.
“India’s neurodivergent population alone probably would be the fourth or fifth largest country on Earth. Now that’s a big number when we compare this population to those of countries like Australia”, says Ann Thomas, Co-Founder and CEO. She adds, “For decades, India asked one question about neurodivergent children: how do we get them to fit in? That question has produced a generation of exhausted parents, underprepared teachers and brilliant adults who mask all day at work. Every parent, teacher or business leader may want to do the right thing. But wanting to and knowing how are very different. We created The Misfit Collaborative so that the next decade will ask a different one — how do we design for difference? Every school, hospital and company will eventually have to answer it. We’re building the place where they start.”
For many families, schools and workplaces, the challenge is not a lack of intent, but a lack of clear, unbiased direction. Parents and caregivers often need guidance on which professionals to trust. Educators need practical ways to communicate with neurodivergent students and design environments that work. Businesses may want inclusive policies but struggle to adopt neuro-affirming language or create systems that support neurodivergent employees in everyday practice.
The platform offers access to practitioners and resources, inclusive-space design guidance, everyday tools, assessments and implementation guides. It also maintains a growing bank of resources, including podcasts, blogs and frameworks, so that learning can continue beyond a single training session or workshop.
By serving caregivers, schools, universities and organisations through a single platform, The Misfit Collaborative aims to reduce fragmented searches and replace generic inclusion templates with informed, context-sensitive support.