Roll With It!

Roll With It

An Adventure for players of all levels

Neurodiversity and Dungeons & Dragons

Exploring ways to make Dungeons & Dragons accessible to people with all brain types and communication styles, by providing tips and help for those who want to have fun without the additional strain.

Special Instructional Module!

This module includes information about ways to DM more inclusively, ask for provisions when needed and first hand accounts of playing experiences, as well as further resources.

Well met, Adventurer!

Thank you for taking the time to flick through this zine on your way to slay whatever big-bad is ailing this land!

I am Jaz, and I have created this zine as part of my research for my MA in Graphic Design into the way that neurodiverse people interact and enjoy table top adventure games such as Dungeons and Dragons.

This zine is just a fun little experiment in research and design whilst looking at one of my favourite hobbies. Hopefully it will be interesting to some people, and helpful to others too!

Acknowledgements

Eclectic Games

Discord

Server

Dungeons & Daiquiris

Discord Server

Verdigo, used with permission

The exquisitely painted Miniatures are by Jen & Connor Truby, and photographed with permission

Contents

In this zine you will find a mix of resources and entertainment, with D&D illustrations, photography, tips and tricks for advocating for yourself and finding what works for you in a Dungeons and Dragons setting, and personal interviews with neurodiverse people who wanted to share their perspective on playing the game!

On the last page, you will also find a

So you want to go

Dungeons and Dragons is a unique, usually quite social, experience, that can be great fun with the right people. But sometimes, being social is difficult, especially as a neurodiverse person. No matter your best intentions, sometimes the mental effort and strain, or constant masking can make you feel like you’re a burden to the rest of the table, or maybe you’re just incredibly anxious and feel like you don’t always contribute as much as the others. Maybe you keep getting distracted and fidgeting, or needing to check your phone. It doesn’t mean you’re not invested in the game, but it might mean you’re having less fun if you’re trying to hide these kind of behaviours.

So what should I do?

If you’re playing with good friends, or even a group you don’t know, in most cases everyone wants to have fun, and they will want you to have fun, too! You’re a unique individual with needs that only you can know, but it is worth the effort to identify these needs as they are just as valid as those of everyone else at the table. Of course it’s important to take other peoples preferences and needs into account too, but think about what you need in advance.

to go on an adventure?

Accommodating yourself

Be kind to yourself, and know your limits. Discuss with your DM beforehand to create an environment which is fun and accessible for you. Maybe you need more frequent breaks, or a fidget toy at the table. There are many types of neurodiversity, and every person is unique and might not need the same level of changes, so although I hope to give you some ideas, make sure you adapt them to yourself!

But how do I ask?

It can be really uncomfortable or seem scary to speak up, but remember that if you don’t advocate for yourself, there might not be anyone else who can. D&D can be a really rewarding hobby, not only for the social aspects but also the genuine skills it can help build, alongside the entertainment. On the next page you will find an easy-to-read checklist that you can copy down or even tear out and show to your playgroup that has some universal adjustments and suggestions that might not just be beneficial to you, but the whole group too!

Session Zero is a fantastic tool to set expectation, boundaries and discuss needs in advance of a campaign. If you or your DM are not already incorporating this, don’t be afraid to suggest it as a way to get gently make sure everyone that is participating is on the same page.

Photo spread

Photo spread

An Interview with Connor

How long have you been playing D&D, and what is your regular playgroup like, if you have one?

like to know about my gaming groups. I have one which I take part in online once a week for a couple of hours. I am a player. One of 6 players, though that number has fluctuated a lot. I joined part way through the campaign. It’s set in Theros, a pseudo-ancient Greek fantasy and something to do with magic the gathering. Players in that game are split in preferences for the game. My other group plays roughly once a month is more role-playing focused but is currently playing other systems

Could you tell me a little about your neurodiversity, and some of the challenges this can present for you in everyday life?

And what about when playing D&D?

In everyday life

I struggle to identify and accept the unwritten rules of the world. I struggle with keeping up with conversations. I am obsessive. Poor spatial awareness. I struggle with understanding and displaying emotions non-verbally. I am very literal.

Some social interactions become easier when playing DnD because people are forced to simplify their emotional responses based on their own acting ability. It can be difficult sometimes to see where and how people might use alternative personalities to further their real personas goals.

Or do you regularly play with neurodiverse people, and is there anything you have done to identify challenges they may face and help them overcome?

I am sure there are many ways I could improve that I am unaware of. I try my best to communicate and be open to correction. I personally think but on voices, however badly, helps distinguish character from player.

Do you have any methods or tricks you use when playing to make things easier for you/others that you wouldn’t mind sharing?

Using accents as mentioned before. I wish I had more!

When making a character, do they often share neurodiverse traits with you, or perhaps the other way, do they easily overcome challenges that you’ve struggled with?

Can you tell me a bit about your favourite

Characters I make often share some of my traits. I find the easiest way to make a character is to take some personality trait and blow it out of proportion. I do also try and identify how they are different also.

My own personal favourite character? One that I have played? Stanislaus is possibly my favourite. Although very literal, like myself, his lack of concern for social circumstances was very liberating. Exploring the limits of his Nihilism was fun. Possibly the only character to haven undergone real personal development.

For fun, can you share one of your favourite D&D moments of all time?

From my own games? I think when a friend who was new to the game used suggestion to make the big bad wizard give her his staff. It was such a surprise with strong visuals and hilarious outcomes.

Photo spread

An Interview

How long have you been playing D&D, and what is your regular playgroup like?

I haven’t played DnD regularly for roughly 6 years give or take (when I had my daughter) but before we had a regular weekly game that lasted around 2 years (long campaign!) The group was comprised of various people that were mainly couples

Could you tell me a little about your neurodiversity, and some of the challenges this can present for you in everyday life?

And what about when playing D&D?

The anxiety holds me back during gaming, I worry that my friends will laugh at a suggestion I make or will mock me for a bad roll, this means it takes me a while to actually get into the game and essentially get into the head space of my character

I have diagnosed depression (prolonged PND and PTSD) and anxiety. The anxiety is worse and is based loosely around my daughter and a fear of loosing her. I cannot watch horror genre shows or films now because I put myself in the situation and imagine what it would be like with her and I end up getting myself very upset to the brink of panic attacks. It sucks because I used to love horrors and stuff like the walking dead but now I simply can’t watch for fear of a panic attack

Do you have any methods or tricks you use when playing to make things easier for you that you wouldn’t mind sharing?

I don’t really have any tricks, I just slowly came to accept they are my friends, not bullies, they mean no harm and we’re all there to have fun. Now I own my bad rolls and realised whilst my suggestions may be silly, they could actually evolve into a smarter plan!

When making a character, do they often share neurodiverse traits with you, or perhaps the other way, do they easily overcome challenges that you’ve struggled with?

No, I always make my characters stronger than I am, what I aspire to be. I don’t see myself as good looking, so Alyona, my savages world character was gorgeous, Chastity, my DnD character was a Minotaur, big and strong and capable of caring for everyone

Interview with Steph

For fun, can you share one of your favourite D&D moments of all time?

Can you tell me a bit about your favourite character?

I’ve mentioned them above and I can’t choose between so Alyona and Chastity

Technically Alyona isn’t from DnD, she’s from a savage worlds home brew campaign but my god I have some amazing memories with her!

Chastity is my Minotaur paladin! She is from DnD and I had so much fun playing her

My favourite moment was with Alyona, she was part of a group of select people chosen to hunt down supernatural creatures post world war 2 London. Whilst looking for clues in a house, she found blood in a fireplace, and having the curious hindrance, poked around to have a look. A mangled dead body fell on her, Alyona in her wisdom called to get friend penny to come and have a look. Unfortunately Penny is a werewolf, Penny failed her roll. Penny attacked Alyona, thankfully she survived but it was one of her funniest moments.

Chastity is a little more not safe for work. Our band had been tasked with destroying the gems that related to the seven deadly sins. Chastity, being a paladin, ended up with Lust (each character was responsible for 1 gem). In the cave they were separated and Chastity found herself in a cave with a ... Ahem ... Happy orc. Said orc tried to force himself into Chastity’s mouth and she wasn’t having it. She bit down. And ... Bit off his ... Well ... It was so fun to play and one of the times my dice actually worked with me rather than against me haha

Further Resources

Ginny Di - YouTube

A D&D content creator with ADHD who makes useful how-to videos!

LoadingReadyRun/Dice Friends - YouTube and Twitch

A group of Canadian entertainers who regularly record live-plays of their very inclusive table top adventures!

The Neurodivergent Players Handbook by Caleb Valorozo-Jones

A guide to transforming and enriching TTRPGs for Neurodivergent Adults as part of Caleb’s Masters of inclusive design, a really interesting read with lots more helpful suggestions!

10 Tips to Make your Tabletop RPG Game More ADHD Friendly! (Ft Elizabeth Kilmer) - How To ADHD YouTube channel

Helpful tips for players and DM’s to make things more accessible, the channel has loads of other great video resources to check out!