Collaborative development model
DeepSpectrum Lab operates through collaborative development. Optimal tools for neurodivergent children emerge from diverse expertise – neurodivergent contributors, developers committed to meaningful impact, and digital accessibility specialists working in concert.
We organize two-day hackathons quarterly. Contributors with complementary skills collaborate on concrete features that integrate directly into the platform. Teams write code, develop design systems, conduct accessibility testing – all contributing to production-ready implementations.
Themes and objectives are defined in advance. Your expertise shapes implementation. If you have insights on better supporting neurodivergent children, we actively incorporate that input.
Hackathon structure
Hackathons span two days and operate remotely – participation from any location. We utilize Discord for communication, GitHub for collaborative development, and Miro for visual planning and design workflows.
The schedule balances structure with flexibility:
- Day 1, morning: project briefing, technical orientation, team formation
- Day 1, afternoon: initial development phase – prototyping, concept validation
- Day 2, morning: continued development, usability testing, iterative feedback
- Day 2, afternoon: demonstration, integration planning, roadmap alignment
Recognizing many neurodivergent participants benefit from predictable workflows, we maintain clear schedules, scheduled breaks, and stable expectations. Asynchronous participation or extended breaks are fully accommodated.
Expertise areas
We seek contributions across multiple disciplines:
Clinical and developmental psychology
Expertise in neurodevelopmental research, autism science, or ADHD interventions. Understanding of how neurodivergent children acquire skills, which evidence-based approaches demonstrate efficacy, and how therapeutic frameworks translate to digital implementation. Experience with theory of mind training, social cognition interventions, or emotion regulation methodologies ensures our platform maintains scientific rigor.
UX/UI design
Interface design, interaction patterns, design systems architecture. Capacity to create interfaces that are cognitively accessible, visually calming, and universally usable. Experience designing for neurodivergent users, accommodating sensory sensitivities, and establishing clear information hierarchies is particularly valuable. Proficiency with Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
Frontend development
React, Next.js, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS expertise. Building interactive components, responsive layouts, and accessible interface elements. Experience with animation libraries (Framer Motion, CSS transitions) beneficial but not required.
Backend architecture
Python (FastAPI, Flask), PostgreSQL, API design. Building scalable, privacy-compliant systems. Experience with RESTful APIs or GraphQL architectures highly valued.
DevOps and infrastructure
CI/CD pipeline development, deployment automation, monitoring systems, testing infrastructure. Ensuring rapid, reliable feature deployment. Docker, GitHub Actions, Vercel, AWS proficiency enables streamlined operations.
Digital accessibility
WCAG 2.2 compliance, ARIA implementation, assistive technology testing, contrast analysis. Accessibility constitutes our foundation, not an afterthought. Expertise in building and validating accessible digital experiences is essential.
Learning experience design
Creating engaging learning experiences without infantilization. Designing motivation systems that encourage without overwhelming. Experience with game design principles, motivation psychology, or playful pedagogy – particularly approaches effective for neurodivergent learners.
User research and experience strategy
User research methodologies, usability evaluation, journey mapping. Understanding how users experience products and identifying friction points. Capacity to gather feedback systematically, analyze patterns, and translate findings into actionable design decisions. Experience with neurodivergent user research particularly valuable.
Note: We do not seek machine learning or AI development support. Our experienced internal team manages these technical domains.
Neurodivergent contributors: intentionally inclusive
Many core team members are neurodivergent. We understand navigating environments not designed for neurodivergent cognition. Our hackathons reflect this understanding through deliberate structural adaptations:
- Explicit schedules and expectations – no implicit assumptions or last-minute changes
- Asynchronous communication fully supported – no synchronous participation pressure
- No social performance expectations – small talk and constant video presence optional
- Scheduled breaks built into workflow and consistently honored
- Sensory autonomy – configure your environment according to your needs
If you're autistic or have ADHD and want to contribute – whether through hackathons or alternative arrangements – contact us directly. We'll collaboratively determine optimal participation structures.
Organizational partnerships: requirements
We welcome organizational participation – with clear prerequisites. Organizations seeking hackathon involvement or sponsorship must meet three non-negotiable criteria:
1. Demonstrated commitment to neurodiversity
This represents genuine organizational priority, not performative marketing. You actively advocate for neurodiversity through products, organizational culture, and external communication. Your commitment is evident in decisions and resource allocation.
2. Neurodivergent employment
We do not partner with organizations that discuss neurodivergence without employing neurodivergent people. If you seek community involvement, inclusion must be organizational practice, not aspirational website content. Neurodivergent employees should hold meaningful roles at multiple organizational levels.
3. Adaptive work practices
Neurodivergent professionals communicate and work differently. Communication may be more direct, processing may require additional time, explicit instructions may be needed rather than implicit expectations. If your organization demonstrates flexibility and adapts work practices to diverse cognitive styles – excellent. If structural rigidity prevents accommodation – this is not a compatible partnership.
Community-driven development
DeepSpectrum Lab operates as a community initiative. We reject the notion that a small isolated team can develop optimal solutions. The most effective approaches emerge when diverse perspectives converge – developers, designers, clinicians, families, and critically: neurodivergent people themselves.
If you want to contribute – whether for single hackathons or sustained involvement – we welcome your participation.
Participation process
To participate in hackathons – as an individual contributor or organizational partner – contact us directly.
Please provide:
- Your background (name, professional context, relevant expertise)
- Contribution area (psychology, UX/UI design, frontend, backend, DevOps, accessibility, learning experience design, user research)
- Neurodivergence disclosure (optional – helps optimize planning and accommodations)