Ally in Training™

Ally in Training™ is a gamified mobile application designed to teach youth about neurodiversity, so they can support and forge bonds with their neurodivergent peers who have differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Ultimately, the goal is to champion youth mental health and wellbeing. Neurodivergent youth face disproportionately high rates of bullying and isolation. Nearly 20% of autistic teens experience depression, compared to 8% of neurotypical teens (Newport Study). Nearly 20% of students drop out of school because they “do not like school,” and among those who reach college, almost 70% choose not to disclose their learning difference, suffering without accommodations; 33% of educators report that learning or attention differences are sometimes mistaken for laziness, while 43% of parents say they would not want others to know if their child had a learning disability (State of Learning Disabilities). My motivation for developing Ally in Training™ is deeply personal. I’ve grown up with undiagnosed neurodivergent family members and their struggles. This summer in an accident, I severed my ulnar nerve, losing sensation in my fingers, learning to write, code, all over again. Through my recovery my friends stood by me. I realized how powerful peer support can be, and how much harder it is when people don’t understand the differences someone is navigating. I wanted to create a tool that helps young people build that same kind of empathy and support for their neurodivergent friends. The app delivers a gamified, map-based learning journey across seven themed worlds: Dyslexia Discovery, Island of Autism Awareness, ADHD Adventure Park, Sensory World, Communication Forest, Executive Function Mountain, and Strengths Arena. Each world includes 9–12 interactive lessons using scenarios, quizzes, and games. XP, badges, streaks, collectible cards, and certificates reinforce engagement, while character guides and personalization features support motivation.