Neurodiversity Coaching: A Novel Approach in Nuanced Care

Coaching is an option that can compliment other programs, medical treatments, or alternatives. It can help tackle specific challenges associated with conditions like ADHD, or Autism. This focuses more on practical strategies, life skills, mindfulness techniques, goals, planning, problem solving, communication, skill building, and more that may benefit from further support or development.

Seeing the beauty in different types of thinking is a central part of our neurodiversity affirming care.

In the realm of neurodiversity coaching, the focus is typically for individuals that are either older teens, college students, or adults. In the case of younger children, family coaching may be a better option. In many cases family education or coaching may be very beneficial surrounding neurodiversity and how it may impact each individual differently within the family.

Similarly co-workers, peers, or teachers for example, may be a large part of how an individual experiences their daily environment.

To the extent that an individual and their surrounding support network understand their neurodiversity, the better the outcome. Neurodiversity coaches work collaboratively with their clients who have conditions like ADHD or Autism to address specific needs and personal goals. For example, most current ADHD coaching programs acknowledge the biological underpinnings of the disorder in addressing the core symptoms of ADHD (inattention, hyperactivity, information processing, and impulsivity). The differences in coaching programs comes down to how they help address the difficulties that are a result of these symptoms. Coaches help individuals or families find ways to overcome daily challenges and reach better outcomes. But more than that, they can help them find better accommodations, better coping strategies, and better practices that can improve outcomes and wellness. Through individualized or group assistance and support, coaches help people discover new ways forward. It's not about performance management, it is more about a holistic approach to problem solving for each individual so they can have more balance, wellness, and independence.

A coach helps people with the more practical activities of daily life in an organized, goal-oriented and motivational way. In close partnership, a coach helps the client learn practical skills and integrate change in his or her daily life. A coach may help:

• to build micro-routines to achieve goals or maintain more balance/wellbeing

• translate abstract goals or tasks into concrete action plans

• build motivation or learn more about emotional regulation

• recognize negative patterns or triggers that may be holding them back through discovery and 1:1 coaching sessions
  

Coaches help individuals living with neurodiversity, or caregivers for those living with it, learn how the symptoms play out in real life. They can help you explore, help you define strengths or challenges, and help identify opportunities for support, growth, and development.

Sometimes those outside can help us see from different perspectives or help us find new resources. Coaches support clients with encouragement, feedback and practical strategies to address specific challenges with a supportive environment. There are many types of coaching programs out there and many individual practitioners providing coaching services today. If you want an in person experience, location will be your first criteria in the search. But, now more than ever, online coaching services are available to provide access beyond borders where service providers may be limited or out of reach. The ease and convenience of online meetings makes this option more attractive to some, particularly the younger generations, who are more digitally native. Coaching usually begins with a deep dive session that will allow both sides to get to each other better as the relationship starts out. Typically, one to two hours on average. This transitions to weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly sessions over-time as progress is made, and less direct support is needed. The goal is usually to guide client's through a specified period of time to help them with focus areas. Some programs offer a free consult so you can make sure it feels like the right fit for you before any commitment. How is coaching different than therapy programs like CBT? Programs classified as therapy, or provided by medical providers such as psychiatric care are more likely to diagnose and treat symptoms directly, such as prescribing medications, which a coach cannot do. Coaching is more educational, and provides practical strategies, and holistic approaches. Coaching programs are not typically treated as medical advice. It is a collaboration between the individual and the coach not a medical directive. In many cases, coaches may be from medical backgrounds or be licensed providers, but that is always necessarily the case. Some are educators, trained coaches, or other certified professionals in the field. Understanding the differences in the level of care you hope to receive can help you determine which level of support or type of provider is the best fit for you. It's also common to have multiple providers of care when dealing with neurodiversity. It's not a surprise considering the range across the spectrum and the differences in levels of care and support systems varying for each individual. Neurodiversity coaching is best for those individuals who are ready for personal growth and wellness, families who are ready to embrace new dynamics and strategies, or teams that are ready to learn. There are many stages in the journey with neurodiversity:

• Questions & Screenings

• Getting a Diagnosis

• Learning About the Condition or Co-existing Conditions

• Exploring Treatment Options

• Building Support Systems

• Coping & Living with Symptoms

• Long Term Wellness Planning

• Accommodations & Understanding Patient Rights

• Life Skills & Adapting
  

A coach is there to help educate you, motivate you, and provide strategies you can use to adapt in daily life for better outcomes. Your medical providers will help you reach diagnosis and define treatments, and a coach can help you navigate daily life living with those conditions. The right coach and client pair can lead to real progress and improved individual satisfaction for those who have felt stuck with certain areas. Personality and more can play a role in how well that relationship and dynamic works out. Mutual respect and trust are important. Individuals often get out what they are willing to put in. A coach is just trying to help you get there. The background, experience, skill, and knowledge of the coach will always play a role, but so does the individual's or group's willingness to participate. A coach can help you examine overall wellness and satisfaction so you can focus on areas that are meaningful for improvement. There are a variety of ways coaches can help you explore your challenges and either help you overcome them or find resources or support systems to provide you better options to face them. Sometimes you might need personalized resources as a caregiver or provider. Let's say you are a mom of three with the youngest child who has been diagnosed with Autism, is now displaying symptoms of (ARFID), this is a condition more commonly occurring within the spectrum, that goes beyond picky eating, it's truly restricted eating patterns. This makes it difficult to introduce new foods or to manage family meal routines without causing meltdowns. We've put together the Parent's Guide to Picky Eating as a resource for our coaching client's, you can freely download for example. Coaching can provide a new path for families, individuals, or organizations looking to learn more about neurodiversity. __ If you are interested in neurodiversity coaching consider Kaleidoscope Support and our peer-to-peer support network. We have lots of free tools, links for online screenings, and more resources to support those on the spectrum.