Autism and ADHD coaching
Ever wondered what an Autism, Executive Functioning, or ADHD Coach does? I outline some of the supports a neurodiversity-affirming professional coach should be willing, qualified, and able to provide.
ADHD Coaching
ADHD coaching and support can be related to school, work, and home. Help from a professional for getting organized, navigating challenges, and enhancing self-advocacy skills.
Autistic-Affirming Support
Consulting, advocacy, and individual support services, ideally from someone with both lived and professional experience supporting neurodivergent people in a way that is respectful and affirming. Helping clients work toward their own goals and to develop self-advocacy skills, rather than trying to condition or teach clients to attempt to mask and conform to neurotypical expectations.
Person-centred supports
I will meet with you and together we’ll develop tools and strategies that work for you, to help you meet your goals. The time is yours, to focus on what is important to you, in a way that is respectful of your personal interests, values, and experiences.
Executive Functions coaching
Executive functions (EFs) are complex mental tasks which help us with things like impulse control, organization, planning, time management, working memory, problem-solving, cognitive flexibility, and emotional regulation. I can help you develop strategies to manage the EF challenges which come along with being neurodivergent.
Advocacy and self-advocacy
If you’re struggling at work or school, an Autism & ADHD Coach can help you develop strategies to manage any areas of difficulty. They may also help you identify where your employer or educator can provide reasonable accommodations to help you thrive in your job or in your classroom. When professional advocacy is required, with permission, they can work directly with your employer, community organization, or school to ensure your (or your children’s) needs are met.
What neurodiversity-affirming support should look like:
- Get to know your family and understand your unique needs, goals, and strengths.
- Learn what accommodations or supports might be helpful to enhance those existing strengths.
- Provide tools and strategies for managing challenges.
- Educate and provide information about specific divergent neurotypes, how they impact people’s lives, and what accommodations and adaptations may be most helpful.
- Advocate for your family to ensure your needs are being met: at school, home, in your community, and in the workplace.
- With permission, network and communicate with any other professionals involved with your family, to provide consistent, collaborative services.
- Provide services in a manner that respects each person’s autonomy, individuality, and freedom of expression.
What neurodiversity-affirming support does not look like:
- Utilizing reward-and-punishment behaviour therapies, or any type of coercive approaches.
- Teaching neurodivergent clients how to be more neurotypical, claiming to “fix” or even “cure” people of their ADHD or Autism.
- It is highly problematic if and when the needs of institutions are prioritized over the needs of individuals.
About Me
I have been a Neurodiversity advocate, Autism & ADHD coach, consultant, and tutor in Manitoba since 2017. I have a Social Services diploma and a degree in Psychology, as well as over 20 years’ experience in the social services and mental health fields.
My son and I are both neurodivergent and twice (or thrice!) exceptional: both Autistic and gifted with ADHD. I offer a unique combination of personal, professional, and academic experience.
Learn more
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