Neurodiversity – Coaching parents

Championing and supporting students whose brains are wired differently

Neurodiversity is the word used to explain the unique way the human brain works. Whilst human brains develop similarly, no two brains function just alike. Being neurodiverse means having a brain that works differently from a neurotypical person. In the last century scientists thought the brain stopped developing during the teenage years, now neuroscience and its application in coaching gives us insights and tools to support neurodiverse students.

Kate is firmly of the opinion that neurodiversity is to be embraced.

Her aims are to educate interested parties and to empower neurodivergent minds to succeed in education and beyond. Kate is experienced in working with neurodiverse adults and young adults navigating their way through education.

One-to-one parent coaching sessions are designed for individuals to work with Kate to develop strategies and solutions to maximise how to engage in learning and how to achieve academic or future workplace best.

Kate’s work as a university lecturer, as a headteacher and teacher in senior schools means she has professional experience with neurodiverse students. Students she worked with may have had a formal clinical assessment, however, she works also with students who perceive themselves as neurodiverse. This included students with singular or a combination of conditions. Within her own wider family she has seen the well-earned educational success and professional success of her neuro-diverse nieces and nephews. Most importantly, she has seen the resilience, determination and the appropriate informed support from family or professional staff (in and out of education) that has brought this about.

The English system is time-based, and she has seen that many neuro-diverse students need longer than the 11-18 years available in senior education and the need to be offered different routes to the traditional A levels and degrees.