Neurodiversity Coaching

I look forward to a day when a coach won’t need a separate page to talk about neurodiversity coaching because it won’t be necessary - because every coach will know lots about neurodiversity and naturally incorporate it into their work with clients, and every manager and leader will have a reasonable awareness of the issues and accommodate them well into the workplace culture.

In the meantime, we are a long way from that. Sadly, very few coaches currently even understand what neurodiversity really is, let alone are competent and comfortable in working specifically with neurodivergent clients.

What is Neurodiversity?

‘Neurodiversity’ is a terms that inspires some debate, but for our purposes I use it to mean the theory that humans have a wide range of different brains and we must be open to embracing all types, including those who can be said to be ‘neurodivergent’, which includes those with autism, ADHD and dyslexia, to name the most commonly occurring.

When we think about neurodivergent people in the workplace and those who are likely to work with a coach, we must bear in mind that:

• While some neurodivergent people are not able to work, the majority are.

• The thresholds for assessing whether someone has a neurodivergent condition are regularly changing towards encompassing more and more people who would previously not have been included.

• The majority of neurodivergent people probably don’t know they are neurodivergent. They are likely to know that they find some things much easier than other people, and other things harder than other people, but that may be it. Anxiety may be a common feature when they are under pressure. They may not meet even the latest thresholds for assessment and diagnosis but they still have personality traits that can be said to be autistic and ADHD, for example.

• If you work in professional services (particularly law, accountancy or medicine), IT or engineering then your organisation is likely to have a far higher prevalence of autism (a.k.a. Asperger’s, ASD and ASC) and ADHD personality traits than the general population. Far more research needs to be done, but a rough guess is that in the UK solicitors’ profession, for example, 15-20% may have ADHD traits and 10% may have autism traits. So if you’re a lawyer, you are likely to know these people and work with them daily. You may be one yourself.

What is Neurodiversity Coaching?

Neurodiversity coaching is a way of describing the fact that, as a coach:

• I am neurodiversity aware

• I identify as neurodivergent myself

• I value and welcome the many gifts and strengths that neurodivergent minds contribute to society and workplaces in particular

• I have had specialist training in working with neurodivergent clients, with organisations such as Gold Mind Academy, Contextual Consulting and Lunah Training

• I provide a safe, non-judgemental, non-pathologising space for my clients to explore neurodiversity issues

• I adjust and adapt how I coach according to what my clients may need

• I don’t offer assessments or diagnoses, but I am always willing to discuss neurodivergent traits and support a client in exploring their own brain to the extent they may find helpful

• I provide workshops and training sessions to organisations on neurodiversity issues

How it works

In one-to-one coaching, I provide a neuro-affirming space for you to explore your 'mental wiring' and how you interact with the world.

We will identify your strengths and the unique benefits you bring to the world, including in your relationships and your workplace. We can also explore any practical changes that might help you deal with specific needs and work/career goals.

With autism and ADHD in particular, the coaching will normally include understanding how your mind works, self-awareness, emotional regulation, weeding out self-limiting beliefs, time management, energy accounting and educating those around you.

Next Steps 

For more information on how I work and the investment required, see My Coaching Approach.

I offer a free chemistry session which allows us to see if I could be of help to you and whether we’d work well together. Contact me here to book one.  

What my clients say…