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Let’s celebrate neurodiversity to support ourselves and our loved ones better!
Welcome to the April newsletter. We have a lot of exciting things to offer this month and beyond including podcasts and special early bird offers on upcoming groups so grab a cup of hot tea and give yourself 10 minutes to read our latest news.
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It was Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024 on March 18-24, which is all about educating and promoting worldwide neurodiversity acceptance, equality and inclusion in schools and workplaces. We delivered a training online to a global organisation which was met with rave reviews, more on that to follow…
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TIP
This month’s tip is about Working Memory.
I (Michelle) spoke to a global organization on tips to support them with various aspects of their ADHD and one of the main things she shared is how we, as people with ADHD, need to borrow our phones notepads (or an actual phonepad!) as our working memory as it has been compromised by ADHD. This tip was shared by the eminent psychiatrist of ADHD, Dr Russell Barkley.
Whenever you get a thought, don’t think, I will remember that later. No you won’t if you have ADHD, write it in your phone’s notes. If someone tells you something of interest, again don’t think, I will remember that later. No, you won’t, put it in your notes.
Then, weekly go through these notes and add any reminders such as appointments or obligations to your phone calendar so that you don’t miss or forget these. This is what I do and is the thing that really helps me keep on top of things and ensure that things are in order/I don’t forget to do things/go to appointments. Simple, yet effective as usually the best things are. Try it and let us know how you get on.
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TRAINING FOR SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS
We have been approached to deliver training to schools and organisations. For organisations not yet at a stage to prioritise neurodivergence, now may be the time to start thinking about and planning for this. There have been lots of disability grievances recently which is obviously something you would want to avoid as ADHD is protected by the Equality Act (2010) so organisations and schools have a duty of care and responsibility to support these individuals.
What is covered in these sessions?
- Why is it important to talk about ADHD and break down the stigma of disclosing this disability?
- Background and timeline of ADHD.
- ADHD symptoms.
- Challenges of the condition.
- Strengths of the condition and how to communicate the strengths you bring to the workplace.
- What does this look like in the workplace and what are the unique experiences?
- ADHD coping skills and tools.
- What are reasonable adjustments at work?
- How can employers support those with ADHD and make the workplace more inclusive
Individuals with ADHD are a real asset to an organisation but in order for them to thrive they need to understand how their ADHD impacts them as do the organisation as well as have an awareness of their strengths and what support is reasonably required.
Michelle spoke online about ADHD Awareness to a global IT company. Below are some of the testimonials received.
If you are a school interested in having this ADHD awareness training, please complete this Enquiry Form.
If you are an organisation interested in having this ADHD awareness training, please complete this Enquiry Form.
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Further to the sold-out group session in January, we are running a further session on Monday 15 April. Timings will again be 7pm-9pm at the Chill Out Centre.
This will be the last in person session of these for the foreseeable as do not have any more planned, so if you have not yet joined, come along to learn more about ADHD, what it Is and not what we were led to believe.
This follows on from our delivery of this session to a global IT organisation who were blown away by the insights, knowledge and perspective shared. You will be in a group of likeminded people learning ADHD coping skills to support themselves and their loved ones better.
Final deadline to book is 1pm on Friday 12 April. There is a buy one, get one half price offer and all those who attend, will receive a 15% discount off any coaching sessions booked thereafter.
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We’re excited to be collaborating with Rhiann Marchant again (clinically trained autism assessor) to deliver this informative session on Autism, ADHD and sensory processing disorder.
There will be a chance to ask us questions during the session and afterwards about assessments, both autism and ADHD and what your next steps would look like.
Early Bird Discount ends on 23 April and all those who attend, will receive a 15% discount off any coaching sessions booked thereafter.
Again, this is the last planned session for this so if you were interested, please book as we do not know if we will run this again.
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GROUP COACHING
We have been approached to run coaching groups for teens and adults for the public.
Group coaching is perfect for those who prefer a group environment to set goals, plan action, get support and have accountability. Suggestions for goals can include motivation for homework/revision, getting a better routine to manage time and implement self care or coping skills for emotional regulation.
There will also be some ADHD Awareness shared within these groups. Group coaching is also a more affordable option for many.
All participants must sign confidentiality agreements to ensure the safety of the group.
We are provisionally looking to run the teen/11 plus group on Saturday 6 July (TBC) and dependant on how well it goes, will look to run this on a regular basis.
If you would like to express your interest for the teen group or the upcoming adult coaching group, please complete this Expression of Interest Form.
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SERVICES RECOMMENDATIONS
We recently met with Kierran Pearce of the Multi-Schools Council and were very impressed by their ethos and the good things they are doing for the children with additional needs in Essex.
The Multi-Schools Council is all about working with young people to help challenge negative perceptions towards young people with SEND – if you wish to find out more please visit their website HERE.
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That’s it for another month. Do contact us with any questions you have or if you require any further information and help.
Wishing you well, Amanda and Michelle.
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