San Jose-based nonprofit’s founder sees neurodivergency as asset

Dreamzilla’s scholarship recipients all have neurological differences.

Dreamzilla Inc., a San Jose-based nonprofit dedicated to celebrating neurodiversity, announced its first-ever scholarship recipients.

Brittany Duncan of Huntersville, NC, Julianne Lukassen of Cheyenne, WY, Austin Riley of Ontario, Canada and Serafino Palumbo of Girard, OH all received funding from Dreamzilla to aid in pursuing their educational goals. The winners have a variety of neurological differences such as autism and ADHD.

“Scholarship applicants must be neurodivergent,” said Ken Loh, co-founder and treasurer/secretary of Dreamzilla. “They must have some sort of personal or professional aspiration that they are pursuing, yet have a financial barrier to overcome.”

Dreamzilla Inc. was co-founded in January 2022 by CEO Kyle Loh, a race car driver with autism and ADHD.

“We felt that there were probably many other neurodivergent individuals who really wanted to follow their passions,” said Ken Loh, who is Kyle’s dad, “but for whatever reason they weren’t able to. We suspected that misconceptions and stigmas may play roles in preventing other neurodivergent individuals from being able to pursue their dreams.”

“Neurodiversity” is a framework that refers to the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits that are regarded as part of normal variation in the human population. It may include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and Tourette syndrome, among others.

According to Harvard Medical School, neurodiversity also posits that people experience and interact with the world around them in many ways, and that there is no one “right” way of thinking, learning and behaving. Differences are not viewed as deficits.

“As a person with autism, routines come naturally to me,” says Kyle Loh. “I really see my condition as an asset which helps me stay laser-focused behind the wheel.”

Dreamzilla’s scholarship winners have neurodivergences such as ADHD, narcolepsy and autism.  Each recipient’s journey highlights the potential within the neurodivergent community and the importance of providing tailored support for them to achieve their goals.

“We currently publish a range of $500-$5,000 for our scholarship awards, but our policy states there is no maximum or minimum,” said Ken Loh. “Our goal is to award based on need, but since we are just starting out, we have been awarding in the $1,000 range. We hope to start increasing when we are able to bring more donations and corporate partnerships on board.”

“Through these scholarships, we hope to amplify the incredible talents within the neurodivergent community and demonstrate the broader societal benefits of embracing neurodiversity,” said Kyle Loh.

“Each recipient showcases the importance of fostering an environment where neurodivergent individuals are valued for their unique contributions,” said Ken Loh. “We are immensely proud to support their journeys and look forward to witnessing the positive impact they will undoubtedly make in their respective fields and communities.”

Duncan is a mother of four and the director of human resources at an environmental services company. She is a currently student at Strayer University, where she studies business administration and human resources management.

“Taking classes online has allowed me to take on what I can, which is important to me so I don’t overload myself,” said Duncan.

Unemployment for neurodivergent adults runs as high as 30%-40% which is three times the rate for people with disability and eight times the rate for people without disability, according to the Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Connecticut.

Exact figures are unknown, according to the Werth Institute, because few resources track the specifics of unemployment among a wide range of neurodiversity—not just autism but also ADHD, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and other neurological differences.

Organizations have begun recognizing the value of hiring neurodivergent individuals, according to the Werth Institute. Neurodivergent people’s ability to approach problems differently and bring innovative solutions and ideas to the table creates real value.

“These scholarships are more than just financial aid,” said Ken Loh. “They are a celebration of the incredible achievements and potential of neurodivergent individuals.”