Leadership, Autism, and ADHD Coaching, and Neurodiversity Consulting and Training for Organizations
No two brains or nervous systems are the same and there isn’t one “right,” “normal,” or “best” way to think, learn, process, communicate, or get the job done. And yet, most business practices still narrowly focus on an outdated, costly, one-size-fits-all approach that caters to one neurotype.
Understanding the power of ADHD, Autism, and other neurotypes, and leveraging the unique abilities of all employees by integrating neuro-inclusive supportive best practices, are competitive advantages in today’s rapidly changing workplaces.
Multiple studies have highlighted that cognitive diversity in teams directly leads to innovation, creativity and problem-solving abilities. A report by McKinsey & Company suggests that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones in terms of profitability by 36%.
According to Deloitte, abilities such as visual thinking, attention to detail, pattern recognition, visual memory, and creative thinking can help illuminate ideas or opportunities teams might otherwise have missed. These are just a few examples of the strengths of Neurodivergent leaders and employees.
Through my customized services as an ADHD, Autism, auDHD, and leadership coach, and Neurodiversity consultant and trainer, I help organizations better understand, appreciate, support, and leverage neurocognitive differences on an individual, team, or enterprise-wide basis.
No two businesses are the same just as no two employees are the same. I am able to offer one or more of my services based on the needs of your organization.
Some businesses provide coaching as a reasonable accommodation while others offer it informally as the need arises, while others include coaching in their leadership and development programs. I offer a free 30-minute discovery call to discuss your needs on a case-by-case basis and determine if we’d be a good match.
Here are just a few examples of how partnering together can benefit your business or organization:
1. Unleash Creative Genius:
Neurodivergent employees often possess a remarkable ability to think outside the box and generate innovative ideas. Through expert coaching, I’ll help your team members channel their creativity to solve complex problems and drive business growth.
2. Enhanced Executive Functioning Skills:
ADHD coaching for ADHDers and auDHDers (Autistic and ADHD) equips individuals with practical strategies to manage their nervous system and brain-based challenges with executive functioning skills, and just as importantly, the underlying beliefs or emotions that could be getting in their way.
Employees will develop self-awareness, systems, strategies, and supports to better manage their time, prioritize their workload, plan ahead, execute, and improve communication with non-Neurodivergent colleagues. By optimizing their work methods in ways that work for their brains, your employees will experience heightened confidence and productivity, leading to improved team performance and individual contributions.
Your ADHD, Autistic, and auDHD (Autistic and ADHD) employees will also be able to identify what they need to perform at their best (i.e. clear goals and expectations, deadlines provided in writing, uninterrupted time to get into hyper-focus, etc.), and communicate this to their managers and Human Resources, as appropriate.
Managers have an important role to play in supporting their direct reports in ways that work for their brains but Neurodivergent employees often benefit from coaching and guidance from a trained leadership and ADHD coach to know what to ask for from their supervisors and/or HR talent partners.
3. Inclusive Workplace Culture:
Embracing neurodiversity and implementing best practices contributes to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace culture. My services will help your organization foster an environment where diverse perspectives and ways of working are valued, leading to improved teamwork and collaboration and individual well-being.
4. Strengthened Employee Engagement:
By investing in leadership, Autism, auDHD, and ADHD coaching for your employees, you demonstrate a commitment to their personal and professional growth. This, in turn, boosts employee satisfaction and engagement, reducing costly turnover rates and increasing loyalty to your organization.
5. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills:
Neurodivergent individuals (ADHD, Autistic, Dyslexic, etc.) excel at tackling challenges with unique approaches. Coaching will nurture their problem-solving skills, allowing your business or organization to tackle obstacles creatively and adapt quickly to changing market dynamics.
I coach employees across industries and at all levels from the C-suite to individual contributors in their personal and professional development.
I can also help you train and educate HR, managers, employees, and leaders about ADHD, Autism, auDHD, and Neuroinclusion.
As a certified ADHD coach with over 20 years of professional experience in leadership coaching, Human Resources, disability programs, higher education, and corporate work environments, I am uniquely qualified to understand the varying perspectives and work with employees, managers, and HR professionals.
You will be better equipped to harness the unique strengths of every individual while enabling Neurodivergent colleagues to work with their brilliant brains.
Multiple studies have highlighted that cognitive diversity in teams directly leads to innovation, creativity and problem-solving abilities. A report by McKinsey & Company suggests that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones in terms of profitability by 36%.
Understanding the power of ADHD, Autism, and other neurotypes, and leveraging the unique abilities of all employees by integrating neuro-inclusive best practices, are competitive advantages in today’s rapidly changing workplaces.
What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity includes every human being.
At its most basic, “neuro” refers to nerves or the nervous system and “diversity” refers to the variety of differences among people.
Neurodiversity is a fact of human biology and refers to the diversity of human minds and nervous systems, recognizing our species’ infinite variations in how individuals perceive, process, respond, and experience the world, and that no one way is superior or preferable to another.
It’s estimated that 15-20% of the world’s population is neurodivergent (ADHD, Autistic, Dyslexic, etc.) and 85% of Autistic people in the U.S. are unemployed, compared to 4% of the overall population
It’s also estimated that up to 75% of women and girls who are ADHDers remain undiagnosed
Neurodivergence
includes but is not limited to:
- ADHD
- Autism
- Tourette Syndrome
- Dyslexia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyspraxia
- Dyscalculia
- Dysnomia
And More
What you may notice is all of the “dys” prefixes in this list which comes from Greek and means “ill” or “bad.” To be clear, there isn’t anything ill or bad about being Neurodivergent, and there certainly isn’t anything that needs to be “cured.” Understood, yes. Cured, absolutely not.
The use of the word “disorder” is also not only misleading and inappropriate but incredibly harmful for ADHDers and Autistic people.
When at a minimum 15-20% of individuals are estimated to be Neurodivergent, 85% of autistics are unemployed, and a significant number of adults remain undiagnosed, it’s time we stop focusing on a one-size-fits-all approach.
It is high time to begin acknowledging and accessing the unique skills and strengths of ADHD, Autistic, auDHD, and other Neurodivergent individuals, and prioritize neuroinclusive and supportive best practices for all neurotypes.
Did you know?
Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, first used the term “Neurodiversity” in her 1988 thesis. This term was later popularized in Robert Blume’s article in The Atlantic where he said, “Neurodiversity may be every bit as crucial for the human race as biodiversity is for life in general. Who can say what form of wiring will prove best at any given moment?”
The Neurodiversity paradigm considers autism and other forms of neurodivergence (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, etc.) to be a natural product of biological diversity and evolution. From this framework, identities such as ADHD and autism are understood not as a disorder, but as diverse neurotypes.
Some of these natural variations in the brain and nervous system result in cognitive, sensory, emotional, behavioral, and communication profiles that diverge significantly from the dominant societal standards of what is currently considered “normal” or “correct.”
In the same way that there is no one “right” cultural identity, socio-economic class, race, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation, there is no one “right” neurotype.
I provide custom services for organizations eager to learn and willing to act toward creating neuroinclusive workplaces, one employee, training, or coaching engagement at a time. Neurodivergent employees cannot and should not be solely responsible for creating change.
Customized Offerings:
- 1:1 Coaching (C-suite to individual contributors)
- ADHD and Neurodiversity Consulting
- Ongoing Trainings
- Leadership Development
- Speaking from Personal and Professional Experience
Sample Training Topics:
- A Strengths-based Approach to Neurodiversity at Work
- Unleashing the Power of ADHD: Leveraging Strengths, Addressing Challenges, and Fostering Leadership Potential
- A Starting Framework: Essential Best Practices for a Neuroinclusive Business
- What are Executive Functions and Why Does Every Manager Need to Know About Them?
I recognize the exceptional strengths that Neurodivergent people bring to the table. My specialized leadership, Autism, auDHD, and ADHD coaching and Neurodiversity consulting services are designed to help organizations harness these unique abilities effectively and provide the education and support needed to thrive.
Inclusive and Diverse Workplaces are the
Backbone of Successful Businesses
A workplace made up from a diverse group of employees and individuals is your strongest asset as a business leader. Creating a place where all feel respected, included, valued, and comfortable at work is what every employer will require if they’re to remain competitive.
A growing number of prominent companies have reformed their HR processes in order to access neurodivergent talent. This includes SAP, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Microsoft, Willis Towers Watson, Ford, and EY, to name a few. Many others are understanding the benefits of prioritizing neuro-inclusion but there’s still a long way to go.
When it comes to work performance, studies show that neurodiverse teams are 30% more productive than neurotypical ones and made fewer errors.
Neurodiversity has significant implications for how we all live, relate, play, and work together, and embracing these different ways of being should not be up for debate.
About Me
Shelly Lyons
ADHD Coach and Consultant
Hi. I’m Shelly Lyons, a Neurodivergent coach and business consultant who is passionate about coaching ADHD, autistic, and auDHD individuals and supporting them in playing to their strengths while navigating their challenges with more confidence.
I’m also passionate about partnering with organizations interested in learning about Neurodiversity and in developing and retaining their talent regardless of their neurotype.
My background includes over 20 years of professional experience in leadership coaching, Human Resources, disability programs, higher education, non-profits, and corporate work environments.
I am certified in ADHD Coaching by the ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA) which is a global ADHD coach training program accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). I have over 800 hours of coaching experience with ADHD adults (far more including non-ADHDers), and am a member of several professional coaching organizations.
I am also trained in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) by Brown University.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Brown University and played point guard for the women's basketball team. I received my Master’s degree in Non-profit Management with a focus on Organizational Communication from Northeastern University.