Retreat is a popup space where neurodivergent attendees, participants, and staff at busy events can get away from crowds and sensory overwhelm. More than simply a quiet room, we provide comfortable seating and a variety of items to aid in self-regulation such as stim toys, weighted cushions and drawing/colouring materials.
Fozzy Lai (they/their) is an auDHD, chronically ill, queer sewist and parent who is committed to radical interdependence and community building.
Xander Matthews (xe/xem,he/him) is a neurodivergent, Black, disabled, trans boy who wants to create community for the people who feel lost within the system.
Our Story
Before the pandemic we were selling hand-sewn stim toys and self-care kits at local markets. After a few years, we noticed that we were doing more than simply selling a product. As we talked to people interested in our products, we noticed that many (self-identified) neurodivergent customers chose to stay awhile at our table to stim and talk to other neurodivergent folk who “got it.” Others would come back several times to take a small break. Of course, our table was still just one spot in a crowded room full of vendors and customers, but based on these observations we began to think about what a truly neuro-friendly space would look like.
When COVID-19 hit and everything shut down, we had a lot of time to think about whether we wanted to continue selling stim toys, or make a change. By the time large events were running again we had a plan for what would eventually become Retreat. Our first event was the Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) in 2022 and we’ve been working with them every year since. In 2024 we also worked with the Toronto Public Library’s Autism Employment Resource Day and we hope to expand to more events moving forward.
Our values
- The needs of neurodivergent and otherwise disabled people are not special, just different.
- Everyone deserves a sense of community and belonging.
- Safe spaces don’t just happen, they must be cultivated and tended.
- Nothing about us without us. This means that we cannot create spaces for neurodivergent people without the direct involvement of neurodivergent leadership.
- Disability is intersectional, this means that a safe space must recognize and respect all of the intersecting identities held by those using the space.
- The neurodivergent experience is diverse and complex. True neuro-accessibility recognizes that not all people need the same things.
Retreat Neurodivergent Breakroom 