Why work with a neurodiverse Life Coach?

Life coaching with John vs. a neurotypical option It is my experience that the most successful understanding of, and accommodations for ASD, are achieved when working with someone neurodiverse. While many neurotypicals claim to be experts, they have never personally experienced ASD. I believe many of these individuals are educated, experienced and well-intended, but they are outsiders looking into a world they have never entered. When working with John he uses personal struggles, accommodations, and successes to best empathize and assist others on the Autism spectrum. I work with neurodiverse people directly, parents, siblings, friends, educators, and specialists. Every person is different and there is an old adage that says, “if you have met one person on the spectrum, then you have met one person on the spectrum”. Neurodiverse people are admittedly different, but we are different good, not different bad, and I am here to help. In my personal experience, the single greatest difficulty for those of us on the spectrum is understanding non-verbal communication. This includes making and properly engaging in eye contact, facial expressions, reading, and conveying effective body language and other aspects of communicating that go beyond simply speaking. Most people on the ASD spectrum do not intuitively acquire social skills as easily as their neurotypical peers. The majority of neurotypical people learn social skills by observing peers and mentors. We teach this capability with a methodological approach and how to implement them without causing additional masking and anxiety. ​ People on the spectrum also often have a difficult time with reciprocal conversation, and it can be one of the most complex skills to master. Socialization should not be one sided, rather it is a back and forth exchange. Listening and speaking are both equally important. Executive functioning struggles are common for those on the spectrum. Executive function and self-regulation skill is the process that allows us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. These functions include cognitive inhibition, basic cognitive processes, control of inhibitions, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Additionally, life transitions are usually difficult for neurodiverse people. – especially from high school to college or living independently. Additionally, the unemployment rate for people with ASD is astronomical with 85% unemployed or underemployed. We can help you discover educational and employment opportunities that appeal to your strengths and special interests. Many neurodiverse adults desire romantic relationships, and there can be significant challenges and difficulties. Relationships are complicated and require energy, time, and effort to be successful. I have navigated romantic relationships from dating in high school to marriage, and as a neurodiverse adult who has been married for over 20 years, I have much to share in order to help you succeed - including tips based on my personal experience with my neurotypical wife. Skills learned include social safety, making and keeping friends, levels and aspects of a friendship, meditation and breathing exercises, conversational and non-verbal social cues, structure and organization, independence, knowing who to trust, time management, identifying and expressing emotions and feelings, recognizing and coping with stress, anxiety and depression, dating and relationship tips, and assistance with career and job placement. We promote and encourage a more balanced lifestyle, understanding of oneself, self-discovery and confidence, reducing stress, acting on special interests, and evolving them into a career and goal setting. We provide the following services: -One on one Personal Coaching. -Career coaching and spectrum specific job placement. -Assisting with organizing and implementing spectrum owned businesses with a focus on entrepreneurial opportunities. -Identifying special interests and leveraging those into a vocation. -Group sessions and interaction with others on the spectrum who share experiences and accommodations. -Relationship and parenting tips and information. -Autism Education Opportunities -Speaking engagements and presentations. -Recommendations for safe online “closed” forums for ASD socializing. Coaching is not therapy. Coaching and therapy are both potentially powerful methods that are used for different purposes with different individuals. Are you willing to undertake a long-term process in order to create deep and lasting changes, and believe that part of the road to achieving your goals involves understanding yourself? My preferred medium for sessions is Zoom. I can see body language and get a true sense of understanding the specific needs of every client. For a complementary 15 minute meeting to discuss specific needs and our approach - directly email John – john@onthespectrumfoundation.org.