08: Neurodiversity in Coaching

In this podcast episode, Dr. Natalie Lancer with Professor Almuth McDowall, Cara Langford Watts, Pippa Simou and Dr. Francoise Orlov, consider the multifaceted nature of neurodiversity coaching encompassing personal neurodiversity journeys, training, supervision and research. The speakers explore the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, particularly women with ADHD and/or autism, and stress the importance of creating inclusive coaching environments. They delve into the double empathy problem, ethical dilemmas, and practical strategies for support.

We discuss:

• What is neurodivergence and how do neurodiversities show up in coaching?
• What value can coaching bring to neurodiverse individuals?
• How can coaches support creating inclusive environments for neurodiverse coaches?
• What are the challenges and positive developments in neurodiversity coaching?
• What are the limitations of traditional coaching models when considering neurodiversity?
• What is the ‘whole sphere’ of neurodiversity and how does neurodiversity intersect with other marginalised identities?
• How can we best understand autistic women's experiences in the workplace?
• What are the misconceptions faced by women and girls with ADHD?
• How can coaching strategies support attendance and workplace inclusivity?
• What specific strategies and techniques can coaches employ when working with neurodivergent coachees?
• What are the ethical considerations in supporting neurodivergent individuals?

Coaches who work with neurodivergent people can be neurotypical or neurodiverse themselves and we discuss the importance of understanding the individual needs and how to co-determine what kind of coach and approach would be best. Coaches and their clients benefit from developments in research and training programmes for neurodiversity coaching as they become more equipped to grasp the complexities and nuances of neurodiversity coaching. Our guests today are:

Almuth McDowall is Professor of Organisational Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London. With Dr Nancy Doyle, she co-directs the Centre for Neurodiversity Research at Work and co-authored Neurodiversity Coaching: A Psychological Approach to Supporting Neurodivergent Talent and Career Potential. Making people happy at work is at the core of Almuth’s mission – she advocates for approaches which support everyone to thrive.

Her award-winning research has been funded by research councils, professional associations and charities, and she is widely published in the academic and practitioner literature. Almuth is passionate about dissemination of research to practitioner audiences, is a sought-after speaker and consultant, and makes frequent appearances in the press, on radio and TV.

Cara Langford Watts is a Coaching Psychologist and the Director of Neuro Directions, specialising in providing progressive coaching services tailored to neurodivergent individuals. Cara brings a down-to-earth blend of personal insight, drawing from her own lived exp