Fighting Loneliness: event calendar for neurodivergent young people aged 16-29
Pietikäinen, Anastasiia (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202504207016
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202504207016
Tiivistelmä
The aim of the thesis was to develop an event calendar for neurodivergent young people aged 16-29 in Kuopio, Finland. The purpose was to provide easier access to free, weekly activities, helping individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) participate in social life and build connections. The project was based on the need for a centralized and accessible source of information to reduce loneliness among this target group.
The calendar was created using a development-oriented approach, combining literature research, personal experience, and data collection from public sources and community organizations. Events were selected based on accessibility, frequency, and suitability for neurodivergent individuals. The calendar was designed using Canva, allowing easy updates and modifications. Ethical considerations such as privacy, inclusivity, and accessibility were prioritized throughout the process.
The final output was a practical and user-friendly digital event calendar that compiles social opportunities for neurodivergent youth. Although direct user feedback was not collected, the calendar was developed to be an effective tool for reducing social isolation. The results suggest that providing structured information on available activities can support social inclusion and encourage participation in community life.
The project highlights the importance of accessible, community-driven solutions for loneliness among neurodivergent individuals. Future work could focus on user feedback, expanding the calendar to other regions, and integrating it into broader support services to enhance its impact.
The calendar was created using a development-oriented approach, combining literature research, personal experience, and data collection from public sources and community organizations. Events were selected based on accessibility, frequency, and suitability for neurodivergent individuals. The calendar was designed using Canva, allowing easy updates and modifications. Ethical considerations such as privacy, inclusivity, and accessibility were prioritized throughout the process.
The final output was a practical and user-friendly digital event calendar that compiles social opportunities for neurodivergent youth. Although direct user feedback was not collected, the calendar was developed to be an effective tool for reducing social isolation. The results suggest that providing structured information on available activities can support social inclusion and encourage participation in community life.
The project highlights the importance of accessible, community-driven solutions for loneliness among neurodivergent individuals. Future work could focus on user feedback, expanding the calendar to other regions, and integrating it into broader support services to enhance its impact.