Design and Creative Technologies
I am conducting this research as part of my master’s thesis at AUT. The project explores how neurodivergence (such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome, OCD, or other cognitive differences) is represented in the media. Media portrayals can strongly influence public understanding and attitudes, yet they are often stereotypical, inaccurate, or told mainly from a neurotypical perspective.
To investigate this, I will run two focus groups of 4–8 participants: one with neurodivergent participants and one with neurotypical participants. Each group will discuss how neurodivergence is portrayed on screen in both local and global media – including fiction (TV shows, films, dramas) and non-fiction (documentaries, reality TV, news). Sessions will last 60–90 minutes and will be recorded for research purposes.
Inclusion Criteria
Participants must:
Be 18 years of age or older.
Be currently based in Aotearoa New Zealand.
For the neurodivergent focus group: identify as neurodivergent (for example, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome, OCD, or other cognitive differences).
For the neurotypical focus group: identify as neurotypical (that is, not identifying with any neurodivergent condition).
Exclusion Criteria
Participants cannot take part if they:
Are under 18 years of age.
Are not currently living in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Do not clearly identify as either neurodivergent or neurotypical, making group allocation unclear.
Approved by the Auckland University of Technology Ethics Committee on 2025-09-18 for Three years (18/09/28).
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Rose Scott, rds0693@autuni.ac.nz
You can browse all AUT research projects currently recruiting for participants on the page below.