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Ep 61: Stop Calling Neuro Divergent People Superheroes: Here's What We Need To Do Instead
Episode 61 • 31st March 2025 • Words that Change Lives • Helen Packham
00:00:00 00:51:58

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What does it really mean to communicate effectively in the digital world, especially for those who are neurodivergent? Helen explores the challenges and experiences neurodivergent individuals face, both in educational settings and the workplace. Joined by guest Lisa Kerr, a neurodiversity coach, they explore why labelling neurodivergent individuals as superheroes can be more harmful than helpful and emphasise the importance of understanding and meeting individual needs. 

Here are the highlights:

00:00 The current landscape and why this is important

05:51 Modern communication lacks physical presence, making genuine eye contact difficult.

11:07 One-size-fits-all approaches don't work for neurodivergent people.

13:12 Awareness of neurodiversity doesn't always equate to proper understanding.

19:13 A child struggled in a mainstream school due to being bullied but thrived in a specialist school for neurodivergent students.

22:29 Struggles with organisation are common for neurodivergent people

26:19 Challenging instant responses is needed to reduce overwhelm.

32:05 Create a separate channel for Lisa's actions with clear, concise requests, including what, why, and when, to prevent missed tasks.

35:52 A neurodivergence diagnosis can be challenging and lengthy.

42:25 Neurodivergent burnout after starting my own business.

47:14 It's about efficiently streamlining and simplifying people's strategy for clearer communication and addressing challenges holistically.

48:55 Helping leaders understand and accept challenges and burnout, enabling personal and organisational growth.

About Lisa Kerr:

Lisa Kerr is a Neurodiversity Coach, Business Consultant and Professional Speaker.  As a Chartered Accountant with a Corporate Finance and HR background she spent more than 20 years in senior financial and operational roles from global professional services firms to regional SMEs, before launching Think Exceptionally in 2020. 

Lisa is Autistic and ADHD, which means that she processes information differently – she thinks exceptionally. But neurodivergence presents challenges in the workplace. Through her personal experience and training as an International Coaching Federation Certified Coach, Certified ADHD Life Coach and neurodiversity-inclusive coach, Lisa now also provides neurodiversity consulting to businesses and coaching to individuals. Her purpose is to give others the support she didn't even realise she needed but so wishes she'd had. 

Lisa lives by the sea in Sussex with her husband, teenage son and their rescue Boxer dog, Cooper.

Instagram @ThinkExceptionallyUK  https://www.instagram.com/thinkexceptionallyuk

Web: www.ThinkExceptionally.com

Facebook: ThinkExceptionallyUK  https://www.facebook.com/thinkexceptionallyuk

YouTube: @ThinkExceptionallyUK  https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkExceptionallyUK


Connect with Helen:

Website: helenpackham.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham

Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham



Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

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