Project background

We worked with Home-Start UK, in partnership with John Lewis Partnership and researchers of play from the University of Cambridge’s PEDAL (Play in Education, Development & Learning) department, to create this informative explainer animation about working with and supporting neurodiverse children.

This animation forms part of Home-Start UK’s Healthy Happy Home e-learning training programme for their volunteers.

Animation aims

To offer the viewer insight into what neurodiversity is, to challenge preconceptions of how neurodiverse children may behave, and to encourage the viewer to take an educated and empathetic approach when working with families that include neurodiverse children.

The role of scripting in explainer animations

The film focuses on the importance of providing support tailored to the needs of each and every child as an individual.

Our lead scriptwriter Dann worked collaboratively with the client’s team to create a script that uses metaphors in a powerful way to convey this – such as describing the negative impacts of a one-size-fits-all approach using the metaphor of a nature reserve, where ‘all the diverse animals in the eco system are treated like trees’. This clever use of metaphor, combined with the lively images on screen, showcases the power of explainer animations to explain complex concepts in an accessible way, whilst still engaging the viewer.

Storyboarding for authenticity

Another important element of the film was to represent neurodiversity in an authentic, true-to-life way.

Throughout the storyboarding process, we worked with the team to build scenes that used real-life examples of the various ways neurodiversity presents in young children.

• Repetitive play was demonstrated by a child’s hyper fixation with vacuuming, and entomology was selected as a special interest for another child.

• A pivotal scene of the animation shows the viewer a real-life scenario of a Home-Start UK volunteer interacting with a neurodiverse child. The scene offers the viewer authentic positive examples of how they can be nurturing and supportive in their own practice, using listening and learning to build an environment where a child can thrive.