Merlee Jayme concluded a star-studded career in advertising with a stint as chief creative officer of dentsu international APAC. Prior to that she had spent most of her career at Dentsu Jayme Sifu and most of that as chairmom and chief creative officer. Included was her role as diversity equity and inclusion lead from mid-2021.

Now she is the founder, chairmom and mentor of The Misfits Camp, the first and only training camp that bridges creative neurodiverse individuals to a career in the creative industry. The camp is open to adults on the autism spectrum, with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), dyslexia, and other mental health disorders. It provides a safe space for training, resources, and support to empower them with the end goal of helping them pursue creative careers.

Research conducted worldwide has highlighted strengths and abilities in individuals with autistic spectrum disorder, particularly in areas such as visual thinking, attention to detail, pattern recognition, and creative problem-solving. Most applicants have a natural aptitude for multimedia and digital arts.

However years in special education schools and societies with little understanding of the potential of neurodiverse individuals tends to limit confidence as well as opportunities presented. The Misfits camp hopes to provide neurodiverse individuals with the right training, acceptance, and inclusion.

This is not a recent interest for Jayme. In 2016 her book, Everyone Can Be Creative, examined the different levels of creativity in all kinds of people and she prepared for her new venture by returning to school to study the psyche and behaviours of different creative minds be able to connect with them in the right way.

The camp’s staff includes medical and creative experts trained to provide students with a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment. Jayme created individualized creative programs with JR Ignacio, the camp’s chief digital and innovations officer.

The six-month training program includes a 15-day creative assessment, harnessing the talent, social skills, portfolio building, and preparing for a job interview. Support will continue after being hired with monthly progress follow-ups with the companies’ HR departments.

JR Ignacio, who trains the digitally inclined divergent, commented, “Meeting all these wonderful creatives inspires other volunteers and me to unleash creativity in the most unexpected ways. Their level of attention to detail and their focus on the work is something I have never encountered before.”

Junette Lacap, adviser to The Misfits Camp and a mother of two neurodivergent teens, added, “If we think differently, diagnosed differently, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is what we contribute creatively. Creative people understand the positivity of being a “misfit “because they know their talent sets them apart from everyone else.”

The first batch of neurodivergent creatives have finished their creative assessment and started their training.

The camp has opened its registration for the next batch of divergent talent and has just partnered with The College of St. Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, seeking out deaf multimedia arts graduates.