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Designing for every brain
What true inclusion looks like
At the 2025 Altro Neurodiversity Forum, Patricia Falcetta delivered a powerful and deeply personal keynote that challenged how we think about the spaces we live, learn, and work in. Her message was clear. Inclusive design isn't just about accessibility, it's about belonging. Here are the key takeaways from her keynote.
It’s not just about accessibility
Drawing from her own journey as a neurodivergent individual, Patricia highlighted a key point: inclusion isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about designing spaces that don’t ask people to constantly adapt or mask who they are.
Inclusive design means creating environments that support people with all kinds of brains, neurotypical and neurodivergent alike, by considering sensory, cognitive, and emotional needs from the start.
Neurodivergent = difference, not deficit
Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, as well as many other neurotypes shouldn't be considered as flaws. They’re just different ways of experiencing the world.
Rather than viewing traits like high energy or sensory sensitivity as flaws, Patricia reframed them as strengths, sources of creativity and innovation.
Energy in, not out
Think of your mental energy like a bank account. Environments can either deposit or drain energy. Harsh lights and loud noise? Withdrawal. Natural light, quiet spaces, and flexible layouts? Deposit. Patricia encouraged us to build spaces that energise people, not exhaust them.
Include neurodivergent voices
Patricia's vision of inclusive design goes beyond compliance checklists. It’s about co-designing with neurodivergent voices, integrating flexible elements, and considering sensory, cognitive, and emotional needs equally. “True inclusion,” Patricia said, “means designing spaces that adapt to people, not the other way around.”
With practical tools like her sensory risk assessment framework and an emphasis on psychological safety, Patricia showed how inclusive design isn’t just possible, it’s transformative. By creating spaces that reflect the richness of human neurodiversity, we don’t just make environments more welcoming. We unlock untapped potential, drive innovation, and foster a sense of belonging for all.
