Coaching Autistic Women: Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace

In this podcast episode, Dr. Natalie Lancer with Professor Almuth McDowall, Cara Langford Watts, Pippa Simou and Dr. Francoise Orlov, consider the multifaceted nature of neurodiversity coaching encompassing personal neurodiversity journeys, training, supervision and research. The speakers explore the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, particularly women with ADHD and/or autism, and stress the importance of creating inclusive coaching environments. They delve into the double empathy problem, ethical dilemmas, and practical strategies for support.

We discuss:

• What is neurodivergence and how do neurodiversities show up in coaching?
• What value can coaching bring to neurodiverse individuals?
• How can coaches support creating inclusive environments for neurodiverse coaches?
• What are the challenges and positive developments in neurodiversity coaching?
• What are the limitations of traditional coaching models when considering neurodiversity?
• What is the ‘whole sphere’ of neurodiversity and how does neurodiversity intersect with other marginalised identities?
• How can we best understand autistic women's experiences in the workplace?
• What are the misconceptions faced by women and girls with ADHD?
• How can coaching strategies support attendance and workplace inclusivity?
• What specific strategies and techniques can coaches employ when working with neurodivergent coachees?
• What are the ethical considerations in supporting neurodivergent individuals?

Coaches who work with neurodivergent people can be neurotypical or neurodiverse themselves and we discuss the importance of understanding the individual needs and how to co-determine what kind of coach and approach would be best. Coaches and their clients benefit from developments in research and training programmes for neurodiversity coaching as they become more equipped to grasp the complexities and nuances of neurodiversity coaching. Our guests today are:

Almuth McDowall is Professor of Organisational Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London. With Dr Nancy Doyle, she co-directs the Centre for Neurodiversity Research at Work and co-authored Neurodiversity Coaching: A Psychological Approach to Supporting Neurodivergent Talent and Career Potential. Making people happy at work is at the core of Almuth’s mission – she advocates for approaches which support everyone to thrive.

Her award-winning research has been funded by research councils, professional associations and charities, and she is widely published in the academic and practitioner literature. Almuth is passionate about dissemination of research to practitioner audiences, is a sought-after speaker and consultant, and makes frequent appearances in the press, on radio and TV.

Cara Langford Watts is a Coaching Psychologist and the Director of Neuro Directions, specialising in providing progressive coaching services tailored to neurodivergent individuals. Cara brings a down-to-earth blend of personal insight, drawing from her own lived experience of ADHD and dyslexia combined with a wealth of professional expertise in coaching neurodivergent clients.

Cara is actively working to integrate coaching research and practice through a neurodiverse lens. Her recent Master's research was on autistic women's experiences of workplace coaching and ableist power dynamics. By challenging conventional coaching theories, research paradigms, and practices, Cara passionately advocates for inclusivity. Her mission is to challenge societal norms, paving the way for a more equitable and diverse coaching landscape.

Pippa Simou is a coaching psychologist, specialising in supporting women and girls to live well with ADHD and other conditions that may also be present. With 20 years of experience in secondary education and diagnosed with ADHD at 44, Pippa joined a local charity, working to support parents and professionals who live or work with children who have ADHD and/or Autism. 

She started ‘The ADD-vantage' in 2020, offering support services to women and girls with ADHD symptoms, and also mentors girls in local schools, trains professionals, coaches women with ADHD one-to-one and facilitates support groups. Awarded a Distinction for her MSc in Psychology, Pippa continues to be involved in research at the University of Hertfordshire.

 Dr Francoise Orlov is a Master Practitioner Coach, Mentor and Coaching Supervisor with 30 years of international experience. She is a member of the world-renowned 100 Coaches community of top coaches and leadership experts. Her expertise integrates theoretical knowledge, emotional intelligence, and practical experience to support her clients in steering complex, international projects through high stakes situations. Francoise previously held senior management and board level positions and was an academic in Strategy and Project Management.

An advocate for the professionalisation of coaching, she has authored contributions to several coaching publications, encouraging an eclectic and systemic approach.

Her current research focuses on neurodivergent professionals and their contributions to the coaching profession, building on her commitment to diversity.

Your host, Dr Natalie Lancer, is a Chartered Coaching Psychologist, and British Psychological Society (BPS) Registered Supervisor. She is the Chair of the BPS’s Division of Coaching Psychology and an accredited member of the Association for Coaching. She is the host of this podcast series and invites you to email any comments to docp-tcppod@bps.org.uk

Your host, Dr Natalie Lancer, is a Chartered Coaching Psychologist, and British Psychological Society (BPS) Registered Supervisor. She is the Chair of the BPS’s Division of Coaching Psychology and an accredited member of the Association for Coaching. She is the host of this podcast series and invites you to email any comments to docp-tcppod@bps.org.uk

https://www.bps.org.uk/member-networks/division-coaching-psychology

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