Home » Autism News » LEGO Foundation Invests $20m in Supporting Neurodivergent Children

LEGO Foundation Invests $20m in Supporting Neurodivergent Children


The LEGO Foundation has launched a new accelerator programme, Play for All, designed to celebrate the strengths of neurodivergent children and help ensure all young people have the right to play, learn, and thrive.

LEGO Foundation Invests $20m in Supporting Neurodivergent Children https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/lego-supporting-neurodivergent-children/

Play for All is an equity free funding and fixed term mentorship program for social enterprises, ventures and organizations that support children on the autism spectrum and children with ADHD through play-based learning.

“When neurodivergent children are understood, valued, and empowered, everyone benefits from their important, and often, extraordinary contributions,” says Dr. Maureen Dunne, Senior Advisor and Special Educational Needs and Disability Expert for the Play for All Accelerator.

“Neurodivergent inventors, scientists, and artists have reshaped entire industries. I am thrilled that the LEGO Foundation has committed to investing in reimagining the world of play and learning so that innovators, specialists, and those with lived experience, together, can build a future that supports the full participation of neurodivergent children in society.”


Special Offer

Don't miss out on our special offer.
Click here to find out more

“We believe that more neurodivergent children should experience the power of believing ‘I can,’ adds Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, CEO of the LEGO Foundation. “By opening the Play for All Accelerator to organizations located anywhere in the world, those who benefit can become catalysts for future innovations. By working with partners, we aim to raise awareness, understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity and challenge the stigma of diagnoses around the world. Ultimately, play helps children find and hone their strengths, giving them the best chance possible to make friends, study in school, and set themselves up to thrive in life.”

How LEGO’s Play for All program works

The Play for All initiative will provide up to $20million of funding to 25 social ventures, organizations, and social enterprises worldwide. The inaugural programme runs until February 2023 and will see participants progress through a three-phased selection process, with funding, mentorship, and learning through play expertise provided at each stage. 

To progress to the second phase, organizations will be required to pitch to a panel, including the LEGO Foundation, venture capital experts, and paid neurodivergent advisors and children. A total of 12 successful candidates will progress to the final application stage where ideas will be tested, and plans finalized. 

Depending on results, up to five organizations could become long term partners of the LEGO Foundation and receive funds to further their ideas and generate evidence to benefit more neurodivergent children. More information about the Play for All Accelerator, and how to register for future cohorts, can be found at https://learningthroughplay.com/play-for-all.

Support Autism Parenting Magazine

We hope you enjoyed this article. In order to support us to create more helpful information like this, please consider purchasing a subscription to Autism Parenting Magazine.

Download our FREE guide on the best Autism Resources for Parents

Related Articles

1 in 36 Kids Diagnosed in Autism Spectrum Disorder Study https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/kids-diagnosed-with-autism-increasing/

1 in 36 Kids Diagnosed in Autism Spectrum Disorder Study

Read More
Unveiling Our 2022 Contributor Awards Winners

Unveiling Our 2022 Contributor Awards Winners

Read More
Study: Parent-Led Interventions Strongly Benefit Autistic Children https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/parent-led-interventions/

Study: Parent-Led Interventions Strongly Benefit Autistic Children

Read More
Study: Half of Moms with Autistic Children Have Depressive Symptoms https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-mom-depressive-symptoms/

Study: Half of Moms with Autistic Children Have Depressive Symptoms

Read More
Measuring Brain Activity Could Pave Way for Individualized Autism Support https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/measuring-brain-activity-autism-support/

Measuring Brain Activity Could Pave Way for Individualized Autism Support

Read More
Irritability and Novel Treatments for Core Symptoms are Most Unmet for Autism https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/irritability-novel-treatment-autism-drugs

Irritability and Novel Treatments for Core Symptoms are Most Unmet for Autism

Read More
Research Autistic Pupils Twice As Likely to be Expelled from School https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/asd-children-school-exclusion/

Research: Autistic Pupils Twice As Likely to be Expelled from School

Read More
Study Reveals Children with Autistic Siblings are High Risk for Presenting Socio-Emotional Deficits https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/study-siblings-emotional-deficits/

Study Reveals Children with Autistic Siblings are High Risk for Socio-Emotional Deficits

Read More
New Autism Drug Designed to Improve Quality of Life https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-drug-improve-life/

New Autism Drug Designed to Improve Quality of Life

Read More

Autism Parenting Magazine