Illustration of four diverse neurodivergent creators engaging in creative activities under the banner "AE Neurodivergent Creators Collective" with colorful and welcoming design.

AE Neurodivergent Creators Collective

AE-NCC Resource Library

Neurodivergent Creators Collective and Autism Empowerment logos side by side

Welcome | Upcoming Events | Past Events | Resource Library (see below)

Welcome to the AE Neurodivergent Creators Collective (AE-NCC) Resource Library, a growing hub of free tools, guides, videos, and inspiration for autistic and neurodivergent creators. Whether your passion is acting, voice over, filmmaking, podcasting, writing, or other creative arts, you’ll find resources here to help you learn, practice, and grow.

AE-NCC is part of Autism Empowerment’s mission to build a kinder, more inclusive world through the power of storytelling and creative self-expression. Our workshops, handouts, and community contributions are designed for all experience levels, from beginners exploring new creative outlets to seasoned professionals looking for fresh ideas.

Bookmark this page and check back often. Autism Empowerment adds new materials quarterly to support your journey as a neurodivergent storyteller, performer, advocate, leader, or media maker.

Legend: 📄 Downloadable PDF  |  📺 Watch Video  |  🔗 External Link

Explore our growing collection of downloadable handouts, slides, and links from AE‑NCC workshops and community contributions. Resource sections and resources within those sections are listed alphabetically for ease of use. Occasionally, where items have strong fits in multiple categories, resources may be listed in more than one section.

🎭 Acting and 🎙Voice Over Performance

Step into the spotlight with confidence! Our acting and voice over resources are intended to be designed for autistic and neurodivergent actors, performers, and voice artists at every skill level. Explore resume templates, warm-up exercises, and practical tips to help you prepare for auditions, master line memorization, and bring characters to life. Whether you’re pursuing stage, screen, or opportunities behind the mic, these tools will help you shine.

  • 📺  YouTube short video: EDFC Disability Loop Group – Easter Seals Disability Film Challenge (was shown by Gwyn during VO workshop)
  • 🔗 Gravy for the Brain – Voice Over training and resources for beginner, intermediate, and advanced voiceover artists. Online and on-demand.

🎬 Filmmaking & Creative Inspiration

From your first storyboard to your final edit, our filmmaking resources aim to support neurodivergent storytellers with the knowledge and inspiration to bring projects to life. Learn the basics of pre-production, camera work, and editing, and find ideas to spark your creativity. Whether you’re interested in independent film, online video, or collaborative projects, we aim to find and provide guidance from creators who understand diverse perspectives.

  • 🔗 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge – The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is an annual competition that gives filmmakers—with and without disabilities—the opportunity to collaborate to tell unique stories that showcase disability in its many forms. They also host year-round workshops.
  • 🔗 Hellbender Media Low-Budget Filmmaking Tips – Edward Martin III offers on his Hellbender Media website a blog filled with Low-Budget Filmmaking Tips. With over 150 credits across film, writing and production, Edward helps you take advantage of decades of experience before you start your own project, or maybe even while you are in the middle of it!
  • 🔗 ReelAbilities – Founded in 2007, ReelAbilities has grown from a single New York-based disability film festival into a leading independent nonprofit and the premiere global exhibitor of disability-focused cinema.
  • 🔗 Washington Filmworks – Washington Filmworks strengthens the statewide film industry by advancing economic development, building career pathways, and connecting communities to opportunity. They serve as a catalyst for sustainable job creation, local business growth, and inclusive workforce development in film and creative media.

✍️📚 Independent Writing & Publishing

Tell your story your way with our independent writing and publishing resources. Created with autistic and neurodivergent authors in mind, these guides intend to cover everything from writing tips to self-publishing strategies. Access recommended reading lists, workshop slides, and insider advice to help you finish your manuscript and share it with the world—on your own terms.

🎧🎙️ Podcasting

Your voice matters. Our podcasting resources help neurodivergent creators plan, produce, and share meaningful content through audio storytelling. In this section we hope for you to discover step-by-step guides, podcast planning tools, and workshop replays that walk you through equipment choices, interview techniques, and editing basics. Whether you’re starting a passion project or building a professional show, we want to help you connect with your audience.

✍️ Storytelling for Good

Storytelling for Good is the practice of using your personal experiences, creativity, and voice to bring hope, connection, and positive change into the world.
It can also be form of advocacy. Storytelling with a purpose is rooted in compassion, courage, and authenticity.

Miscellaneous Videos, Links and More 

Explore a curated selection of links, videos, interviews, and workshop replays from the AE Neurodivergent Creators Collective and Autism Empowerment. Watch real-life stories, skill-building sessions, and creative showcases that highlight the power of autistic and neurodivergent voices. These recordings are perfect for learning at your own pace or revisiting favorite moments from our events.

This section also includes links to additional educational resources for our community in both the Portland metro area and online throughout the United States.

  • 📺 🔗 Hold My Beer Film – A film by Brian Tashima, produced by Autism Empowerment and Second Player Score
  • 🔗  abilityE – abilityE is a free entertainment talent resource connecting casting professionals with thousands of actors, musicians, comedians, speakers, and other performers with disabilities. Designed with privacy and access in mind, the platform supports authentic representation across film, TV, streaming, and new media.
  • 🔗 Autism In Entertainment –  Established in May 2022, the Autism In Entertainment Workgroup includes educators, professionals, and family members who support autistic contributions in entertainment-related fields, including film, television, social media, and game design.  
  • 🔗  Danimation Entertainment – DaniMation Entertainment is a cloud-based autism talent development company that produces original and contract Animation, Illustration, and Graphic Arts. Founded by Dani Bowman at age 14, the company has produced nine animated shorts, a PSA, and a Music Video premiering at San Diego Comic-Con, has illustrated 6 children’s books available on Amazon and numerous commercial work.
  • 🔗 Disability Belongs – The Hollywood Disability Inclusion Toolkit – Disability Belongs is a is a diverse, disability-led nonprofit that works to create systemic change in how society views and values people with disabilities. The purpose of the toolkit is to help entertainment professionals who wish to ensure they are as inclusive of people with disabilities as possible.
  • 🔗  Lights! Camera! Access! – A six-month pre-employment, job-readiness, Career Exploration training + Career Incubator activities for job seekers with disabilities to explore + pursue media careers (in front of & behind the camera/keyboard)
  • 🔗 Making Space – Making Space connects Neurodivergent, Chronically Ill, and Disabled professionals with meaningful career opportunities, while helping employers retain talent and build pre-qualified global pipelines. Free to jobseekers. Free online workshops.
  • 🔗 MetroEast: A nonprofit Community Media Center in Gresham, OR that teaches the public how to create their own media. They have a studio, edit suites, and a music recording booth, and offer monthly workshops and project-based media cohorts that focus on underserved communities. Community members can also become producers, and broadcast their own show on their cable channels! They prioritize keeping our membership costs accessible ($100 for individuals, $25 for students/veterans/people with disabilities) and include free gear rental. Scholarships are also available. 
  • 🔗 OpenSignal Portland: Open Signal is a media arts center in Portland, Oregon, where you can learn production skills, connect with local media makers, and produce your own content to air on cable TV. 
  • 🔗 PHAME: PHAME is a nonprofit education program in Portland, OR that empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead full, creative lives through arts education and performance. They have a school which offers 30+ classes each term in a wide range of artistic disciplines that include music, theatre, dance, visual art, digital art, and more.
  • 🔗 RAMPD – RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities) is a professional consultancy group and networking platform amplifying Disability Culture and inclusion within the music industry.
  • 🔗 Spectrum Laboratory – Spectrum Laboratory is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Los Angeles that empowers neurodivergent and autistic artists in film, acting, music, voiceover & animation. Students pursue their passions while learning to be successful within the larger entertainment industry. There are also private lessons available online. (There is a cost for classes and training.)

Want to become an AE-NCC Member?

Membership is free, and joining is as easy as signing up at this link! 

You’ll be added to the AE-NCC email list and will receive notices about events, resources, and creative opportunities, delivered straight to your inbox.

If you want to learn more, please email:

Program Leader: Brian Tashima at brian@autismempowerment.org

For general information about Autism Empowerment programs or services, or to suggest a resource, please email info@autismempowerment.org

Representation matters. Stories change lives.

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Welcome | Upcoming Events | Past Events | Resource Library (see above)

Last updated 2/22/2026