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"Neurodiversity" is a word that has joined the conversation, both in coaching and in many other aspects of our day to day lives.  How many of us have heard a friend refer to themselves as "neurodivergent", a TV show using the term, a related bestseller like "NeuroTribes", a colleague asking for professional or personal accommodations, or encountering neurodiversity-affirming practices in professions that we wouldn't have even guessed at 10 to 20 years ago?  

But what is Neurodiversity?  From the language used - "person with Neurodivergence" or "I am Neurodivergent" - to who actually can or should use the term (whether they have a diagnosis or not), to what Neurodiversity actually means in our day to day life and interactions.  In this presentation we will *briefly* touch on the history of the Neurodiversity movement and its relation to Autism, ADHD, and other diagnoses; and on how Neurodiversity is related to other aspects of diversity and to disability advocacy.  

For the focus of this presentation, however, we will explore the way the term has joined our everyday understanding of ourselves and our world, and how it is shaping different choices in how we treat ourselves and each other.  

In coaching specifically, I see ICF coaching leading the way in co-creating the work our clients need to thrive as they are.  In my view the PCC Markers can easily be viewed through a Neurodiversity-affirming lens, and I am excited to share my observations and co-create a greater discussion with my fellow coaches on how our professional competencies support Neurodiversity - and where Neurodiversity may challenge us. 

About our speaker:
Heather C. Curtis, MS, PCC, brings a wealth of experience and passion to her work as a PCC coach, focusing on ADHD and Neurodiversity. She has over twenty years professional and personal experience with ADHD and Neurodiversity, and is excited to see Neurodiversity and Neurodiversity-affirming perspectives become part of the coaching conversation. Heather's clientele is diverse, ranging from leaders, entrepreneurs, and small business owners; to academics and creatives; and to partners, parents, and young adults. She is dedicated to empowering all her clients to embrace their unique cognitive styles and navigate the complexities of life with authenticity and resilience.

As a proud member of the coaching community, Heather is actively involved in coaching education and professional development. She serves as a trainer-assistant and Mentor at a Level 2 school, and has taught classes on coaching and intuition, coaching and stress, and co-taught classes in career coaching and Appreciative Inquiry. Her dedication to professional growth continues as she completes her ICF Assessor training, and expands her Neurodiversity-affirming coaching, consulting, and mentoring educational offerings.