#147 Shelley Farnham & Julia Harris - Complex Strengths and Complex Connexions

#147 Shelley Farnham & Julia Harris - Complex Strengths and Complex Connexions

Shelley and Julia talk to us about navigating complex strengths and the importance of connections! 

We talk about:

• Julia navigating school when neurodivergent and feeling that her ‘soul was too loud’.
• The importance of authenticity and being able to be themselves.
• And what they would choose to eat if they were invited to lunch with the Queen!

Julia (JuliaArtsJulia) is a neurodivergent (ADHD+) mum of two neurodivergent/not-so-typical sons. An artist, children's entertainer, and also neurodiversity mentor, educator and trainer at - Complex Strengths and The Neurodiverse Universe.

Shelley worked as a teacher in South Africa and then as a Teaching Assistant and SEN Support in the UK. She also has a son who is Autistic and ADHD. She started Complex Connexions as she is passionate about supporting other parents to focus on understanding, communicating and so, most importantly, on building connection with their neurodivergent child. 

Julia and Shelley have combined their strengths to create and deliver their fabulous 'All on Board for Families' course, a 5-week group coaching course to support parents of neurodivergent children. The course uses the analogy of the family being the crew on board a ship, moving from the overwhelm and confusion of struggle rock towards calm. 

Full Bios

Julia Harris (JuliaArtsJulia) is a neurodivergent (ADHD+) mum of two neurodivergent/not-so-typical sons. An artist, children's entertainer, and also neurodiversity mentor, educator and trainer at - Complex Strengths and The Neurodiverse Universe.

Julia has about over 30 years' experience of supporting neurodivergent individuals both professionally and personally, which adds to her personal experience of over 50 neurodivergent years.

Driven by a passionate belief, present since childhood, that much was amiss about how adults interact with Young People, Julia has independently studied many modalities that explore human traits and behaviours, and how to heal the many relationships that are part of human life. 

Shelley Farnham worked as a teacher in South Africa and then as a Teaching Assistant and SEN Support in the UK. She also has a son who is Autistic and ADHD. 

Although she had a teaching degree and worked in education, when her son began to experience difficulties at home and school, she had to embark on a steep learning curve - with little information and support available at the time, this was very self-directed and involved a lot of late night googling! 

When she began a course for parents of neurodivergent young people and realised how much it was helping her as a parent and also as an educator, she knew she had to share its principles and so Complex Connexions was created! She wants to support other parents to focus on understanding, communicating and so, most importantly, on building connection with their neurodivergent child. 

 

Key Resources:

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