A significant development this year is that I’m exclusively coaching neurodiverse and disabled clients. This is partly because of my autistic diagnosis this year... but mainly it's the conclusion of a two-year enquiry on the focus of my coaching. I’ve been interested in neurodiversity for a while and now, after a year of working almost exclusively with neurodivergent people, I’m clear that this is fully my boat.
I'm still all about aiming high and achieving big things without burnout: but my focus is specifically on how this comes alive within the context of ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and other disabilities which affect your day-to-day relationship with work. This is for you if you've been labelled "gifted", "successful", a "high flyer" or something similar... but have always struggled to live up to the expectations which go with that. You may be wondering how long you can keep going.
For many women, there's a deep sense of being flawed, “not good enough” or an imposter... when what's actually going on is an impairment, difference or disability which is not being adequately identified, understood and supported. Your self-care calibration is all off and it seems impossible to give yourself what you need while reaching for what you want AND doing what you have to, to get by. Undiagnosed autism in women is an issue precisely because of their tendency to skillfully adapt or cope in ways that mask the extent of the underlying condition/s.
The good news is that there is a way of designing your life and work so you can take care of yourself and excel. If you google “famous autistic women” or “famous women with dyslexia” you’ll realise you’re in outstanding company. We make the most of your gifts and unpack the internalised ableism, school trauma and learned helplessness that have jammed up your in-built pleasure and recovery systems.
If you’ve been interested in working with me but have been feeling unsure about the money, this need not be a barrier to getting help.
With or without diagnosis, if you are ambitious but feel your working life is affected by ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, Anxiety, (C)PTSD, deep-seated issues with planning, organisation and self-management, chronic ill health or any other disability, you are a great fit for my coaching. And if you are based in the UK, you may also qualify for funding for up to a year of coaching through the UK government's Access to Work scheme.
The scheme is there to help disabled people access work, and the support doesn't stop with coaching. Many of my clients access a whole raft of support in their working life, from software (eg. ADHD Productivity tools) to office equipment to actual help with the aspects of work they find challenging. The fund is available whether you are an employee or work for yourself: neurodiversity in the workplace is thankfully becoming better understood and supported and Access to Work ensures that freelancers are not left high and dry. I also access this fund personally as does my partner who has chronic health issues. It has been completely life-changing in terms of what we are each able to do in the world - it’s like I've grown hands!
There's a bit of a process for getting the funding, so even if you're not ready to start coaching now but know this is going to be relevant for you in a few months, it’s still worth getting in touch. You won’t see info on any of this anywhere else on my website just yet - I wanted to get this out to you now rather than waiting til that’s all updated.
Get in touch if you’d like to have a chat about long-term coaching.
We can talk about your journey with neurodiversity, whether you are at the "burned-out and suspecting" stage, are self-diagnosed, seeking diagnosis or a long-term dyslexic genius, ADHDer, Aspy or Autie. I'll explain the funding process (if you're UK-based) and we can both size up if you're a good fit.
And if you're not ready now but know its going to be relevant to you in the next few months, it’s still worth reaching out: there's a bit of a process to go through to get the funding (don't worry I can help you with that) so new intakes now will be ready to start coaching about 4 months down the line. And if you're not in the UK but still feel I can help, great! I'd still love to meet you.