Whilst ADHD coaching has been around for a while, the reality is that many ADHDers also have another form (or forms!) of neurodivergence and that has a big impact on their presentation, the issues they face and the solutions that they might need. We’ve also had autistic clients ask why there isn’t such a thing as autism coaching, and we feel there absolutely should be – hence neurodiversity coaching.

This refers to the fact that many people have more than one condition (see what is neurodiversity coaching) but also that people’s experiences of being neurodivergent are impacted by their gender, their age, their cultural background as well as things like education and socioeconomic factors.

Whilst we are training you to be a coach not a therapist it helps to have an understanding of the relationship between neurodivergence and trauma. Our knowledge of the relationship between neurodivergence and trauma is growing rapidly. The ATTUNED Approach is rooted in the understanding of what’s termed a bidirectional relationship between the two, ie being neurodivergent means an individual is more likely to experience trauma but the also being neurodivergent impacts on how we experience and store trauma as well.

To achieve a certificate level in coaching you need to be able to demonstrate a specific skill set. Contracting refers to the process by which you and your client agree the practicalities and the scope of your work in your initial session. This is designed to keep you and your client safe and sets the tone for the relationship that you build with your client.

Emotion is the driver behind many behaviours. Neurodivergent people may have significant differences in how the experience, process and express emotion and understanding this is fundamental to our coaching work.

Alongside the differences in emotional processing, neurodivergent clients may also have differences in how they process language. We need to be aware of this as this is the predominant way we communicate as coaches. Understanding the use of language and the way we can adapt the way we communicate with our clients in session is an integral part of what sets ATTUNED apart from other modalities. With our training we not only give you the tools to adapt how you work with your clients but also the comprehensive understanding of why this is so vital to the coaching process.

The requirements of the certificate level course mean that we must study three traditional coaching models. The three we study in our course are GROW (goal setting), SFC (Solution Focussed Coaching) and CBC
(Cognitive Behavioural Coaching). These are all useful models, but they may not work with neurodivergent clients in their original form. We look at why not and how we can adapt them. We do this using ATTUNED.

ATTUNED is a coaching model that can used on its own or to adapt other coaching models. It is neuro-affirming and works with an individual’s neurology to find solutions that will work for them.

Every individual will have strengths and barriers to achieving what they want to. We explore how strengths can be utilised effectively and what solutions might be used with typical barriers. Being neuro-affirming we may also look at how what appears to be barriers might actually be strengths after all.

There are a variety of session structures that can be used in coaching. We look at these and how you might need to adapt them for individual clients.

Many of our clients may have experienced mental health challenges or been misdiagnosed with them. We look at this in depth and look explore what our limitations are as coaches and when we may need to refer on. This is crucial to protect both you and your clients.

We look at the law as it relates to neurodiversity. We also look at the governance we are subject to as coaches and the ethics and frameworks which we have to adhere to.

Not all of our coaches will want to set up their own businesses but many do. We look at the practicalities of doing this, covering the law, financial processes, insurance, marketing and networking amongst others.

These are two of our stand alone introductory courses which are included as part of the Neurodiversity Coaching Certification because this guarantees all our coaches have the same baseline
knowledge of Autism and ADHD.

It allows for group participation and discussion on the subject and ensures that our coaches understand the root of their client’s presentation.