Working with and coaching neurodivergent clients - reflecting with Jasmine Miller

With a background in additional support needs spanning 20 years, Jasmine Miller has first-hand knowledge, understanding and application of supporting neurodivergent children, young people and adults in an educational and community settings.

She is a Barefoot Coaching Trained Coach and recently led a two-day workshop for Barefoot that I attended at the end of November. 

Over the two sessions we developed awareness and understanding of neurodiversity, considered inclusive working practices and environments. And thought about how we show up as colleagues and coaches to create the best space to think for everyone - but particularly those who are not neurotypical. 

We also considered what might limit us and help us to build relationships and maintain them. 

It really got me thinking about living in a neurotypical world, where the customs and norms are designed by the neurotypical majority and are widely understood by so many of us, but often hidden or subtle to others.  

We also learned about over stimulation or autistic burnout - a concept new to me but one that immediately resonated. What allowances do we make for others when they are experiencing over stimulation? When perhaps even the journey to work might be exhausting. 

And in our coaching practices how avoiding open questions rather than relying on them is worth considering, as they can be hard for autistic people to answer and they can find the expansive nature of them overwhelming. 

Creating bitesize goals can also help move someone up one rung on the ladder, without necessarily focusing on the entire journey.  So much to learn and so much to reflect one. I hope you get as much out of the podcast as I did :)

If you enjoy listening to this podcast why not check out some of the others in season 1 & 2. Or perhaps you fancy taking part yourself? If so why not get in touch. You can find me via LinkedIn or Twitter