Exploring neurodiversity – Denslow Brown

The EXPLORING NEURODIVERSITY session intends to inspire, encourage and challenge participants toward a greater understanding of neurodiversity, defined as “the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population.” Broaden your perspective, aided by instruction, slides, discussions and extensive resources. After establishing a shared understanding of the scope of neurodiversity (big picture), we will contrast three views of brain-based conditions: the medical model, normalized and well-managed. Coach leaders and coach training program providers will be supported in identifying the implications of a positive neurodiverse stance. The second half of the session will make the realities and possibilities concrete by considering a specific area of neurodiverse coaching. Neurodiversity is embraced and supported by ADHD coaching programs and professionals. We will distinguish ADHD coaching and reflect briefly on the prejudices and obstacles this coach specialty has faced within the coaching industry. Finally, we will look at some concrete actions coach leaders and training programs can take to embrace the advantages and meet the needs of a neurodiverse student population — and adjust coach instruction on coachability, ethical guidelines and coaching skills.

Denslow Brown, MCC, Master Trainer, founded Coach Approach Training – Institute for Applied Coaching, an ICF ACTP. A 1970’s pioneer of the professional organizing field, she turned to coaching in the 1990’s to support lasting change for her organizing clients. Thrilled with coaching’s effectiveness, she made a commitment to transform the organizing/productivity profession by teaching coaching philosophy and skills through conference presentations. She founded CA-IAC in 2006 to train and credential coaches with organizing, productivity, ADHD and leadership specialties. Denslow received the President’s and Founders’ Awards from the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals. She is the author of The Processing Modality Guide for Organizers & Coaches and Recognizing and Respecting the Lines between Coaching, Organizing and Therapy. CoachApproachforOrganizers.com