About TTRPGS and Neurodivergence
At Quirky Quest, we feel it is important for you to know how TTRPGs impact neurodivergent people. After all, these studies are the whole reason we started our company.
Before we get into those benefits, it is important that you understand what a TTRPG is. A TTRPG is a table top role playing game. The game master runs the game and guides the story, while each participant plays a different character. The game master will provide an adventure, with a setting and a problem, and the players must work together to work through the adventure. For example, they might have to rescue a princess, or fight some pirates to get back stolen treasure. At Quirky Quest, the TTRPG is called Quirky Quest and it is a system of rules that we have designed and play tested ourselves to fit our audience.
Research shows that TTRPGs have many benefits on the lives of neurodivergent folks. Current research is actually being done on whether parents and providers are aware of the benefits (Center for Autism Research, para 1). Below are some of the ways in which TTRPGS can improve the lives of autistic folks.
We have included our sources at the bottom of the page, with links, so you can read the original articles if you’d like more info. You are also more than welcome to reach out for a consultation or a chat, as we are always happy to discuss this in more detail!
Various research projects done show that neurodivergent folk can learn a variety of social and life skills through TTRPG groups. A study published by Cambridge University Press states that "available literature suggests that TTRPGs can enhance social development, communication, and emotional well-being in neurodiverse individuals” (Thompson & Majumder, 2025, para 5). Another study states that “[a]utistic young people felt more socially confident, more flexible, and learnt life skills that helped outside of the TTRPGs” (Peters, 2025, para 8). Atherton et al. found that in the game, participants are safely able to approach situations that would be scary and difficult in real life (2025, para 12). They are able to work through these challenges within the context of the game, and in turn, this helps give them the confidence and skills to work through some of the challenges that they face in real life (Atherton et al., 2025, para 12). Additionally, emotional wellbeing was found to increase and sensory overload was found to decrease through participating as well (Atherton et al., 2025, paras 15-17).
One of the most important benefits of TTRPGS for neurodivergent folks is the impact on social confidence and the friendships that are organically built. Participating in a TTRPG campaign can help create a “sense of belonging” (Peters, 2025, para 8). This helps to reduce social isolation and loneliness (Atherton et al., 2025, para 16). As players work through the game, interacting with one another and with NPCs (characters played by the game master), they naturally develop improved social skills and friendships with one another. The fantastic part of this is that the benefits go beyond the table, and social competence has been shown to improve outside of the game (Atherton et al., 2025, para 14).
A TTRPG group is a safe space for children and teens to be themselves. Before we dive into the benefits of having a space for autistic folks to unmask, I want to provide a quick explanation of masking. Masking is something that everyone does, but autistic folk mask to a much higher degree than neurotypical peers, and they do so to hide their autistic traits. Masking to this extent increases the risk of autistic burnout and poor mental health (Atherton et al., 2025, para 4).
One study states that socializing with other autistic people, especially those who share their interests allows autistic folk to be able to begin to unmask. This allows them to develop unmasked friendships and reduces the mental health risks associated with masking (Atherton et al., 2025, para 4) . Another research group found that “[t]he autistic people in [their] study said that TTRPG groups created safe spaces where they could connect with others without masking, due to being able to explore through their characters” (Peters, 2025, para 8). They also found that “TTRPGs created a safe environment that encouraged participants to unmask and express themselves through escapism and creativity” (Peters, 2025, para 3). Overall, it's clear that the safe space that can be created by a TTRPG group is impactful to the lives of the participants.
Another benefit to TTRPGS are the communication and conflict management skills that are naturally learnt. TTRPGs are in a group dynamic, where the group has a common goal. For example, the group may have to rescue a fairy from the horde of goblins. By working together to achieve a common goal, the participants learn the skills needed to work through conflict in a group dynamic (Peters, 2025, para 3). TTRPGS have rules and guidelines for interactions, which help facilitate the building of these skills in a safe and controlled way (Atherton et al., 2025, para 7).
At Quirky Quest, we strive to create a safe space where these benefits are realistic and achievable. We hope that our participants bond with one another, creating friendships in our sessions and the social skills to make more friendships outside at school or in other community activities.
Personal Growth Through Skill-Building and Safe Challenge
Friendship Formation and Social Belonging
TTRPGs as Safe Spaces for Unmasking
Developing Communication and Conflict-Management Skills
Conclusion
Works Cited
Atherton, G., Hathaway, R., Visuri, I., & Cross, L. (2025). A critical hit: Dungeons and Dragons as a buff for autistic people. Autism: the international journal of research and practice, 29(2), 382–394. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241275260
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11816462/
Center for Autism Research. (n.d.) Therapeutic Role Playing Games for Autistic Individuals. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute. https://www.research.chop.edu/therapeutic-role-playing-games-for-autistic-individuals
Peters, A., Woods, J., Aditijo, C., Lang, N., Nguyen, R., Baird, L., Webb, C., McLean, B., Hatfeild, M. (2025). Safety, Connection, and Personal Growth: Experiences of Tabletop Role Play Game Groups Amongst Autistic Adolescents and Emerging Adults. Autism in Adulthood. 2026;0(0). doi:10.1177/25739581251404409
Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/25739581251404409
Thompson, M., & Majumder, V. (2025, June 20). Systematic Review: Are Table-Top Roleplaying Games a Useful Therapeutic Tool for People with Neurodiversity? BJPsych Open, 11(S1), S74–S74. doi:10.1192/bjo.2025.10240