"Synapses"

The Story behind "Synapses"

I work part-time at Space4Autism, having previously taught in a secondary school for autistic children. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the neurodivergent experience—both in adolescence and adulthood. I have witnessed many individuals in trauma and crisis, not because of their neurodivergence, but because of how they have been treated by systems that fail to understand them. When schools and workplaces overlook these needs, or when casual words dismiss lived experience, the impact can be profound—sometimes leading to isolation, self-harm, or worse.

Synapses is informed by the voices of adult members of Space4Autism. Created collaboratively, the work brings together the creative technology of neurodivergent sound engineer and programmer Craig Standen and the poetry of Lizzie Trafford, a neurodivergent PhD student in English. The piece seeks to evoke the sensory and emotional landscape of neurodivergent perception—its intensity, fragility, and quiet power.

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It is named Synapses to refer to the activity between the brain cells or neurons; sending messages. This is also indicated by the led lights that take the viewer from one video to the following one. The first video explores some myths about neurodivergence that the adults have experienced, labels and statements. We then dive deeper into the emotions  and experiences of  neurodiversity. The last video are the comments from the adults blasting the myths. 

This is the beginning of an exploration - a test piece that we aim to expand in all senses of the word.

"Synapses" was shown at the MAC "Beneath The Surface" exhibition in Macclesfield. 4th to 12th October 2025. Viewers were invited to explore and draw in VR.