E282 | Understanding Neurodiversity: Strategies for Clear Communication and Collaborative Leadership

If there’s one thing we all know, it’s that our brains work differently. We think, relate, and communicate in unique ways.

That’s why communicating with anyone requires you to be a locksmith of people. You must know your audience at such an intimate level that you’re able to find the right key to the right door, and adapt your strategy to achieve common comprehension.

Communicating with neurodiverse individuals has shown to be a common roadblock for many, largely due to misunderstandings, false assumptions, and lack of awareness.

The goal of today’s episode is to explain neurodiversity, debunk the existing myths surrounding the topic, and discuss how to better communicate with neurodivergent individuals. Specifically, we cover:

• Why understanding neurodivergent individuals matters (6:00)
• The definitions and cognitive strengths and weaknesses of individuals with ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia (throughout)
• Actionable tips for communicating and collaborating with neurodivergent individuals (56:57)
• How to advocate for yourself if you are neurodivergent (1:05:07)

Related AoC Resources:

Book: Conscious Coaching: The Art & Science to Building Buy-In

Upcoming Book: Stay In the Know

Online Course: Bought In

Free Access to the Presentation Mentioned: Creating The Optimal Coaching Environment

Quiz: What Drives You?

E130: How Understanding Drives Helps Build Buy-In

E59: Nathan Parnham: The Difference(s) Between Coaching Male & Female Athletes

E68: Carl Coward: Embracing Difficulty & Finding Your Way

For books referenced in this episode and other recommendations, check out our newly revamped Reading List

Referenced Resources: American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Grandin, T. (1996). Thinking in pictures and other reports from my life with autism. New York: Vintage Books.

Nigg, J. T. (2005). Neuropsychologic theory and findings in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: The state of the field and salient challenges for the coming decade. Biological psychiatry, 57(11), 1424-1435.

Price, D. A. (2012). Neurodiversity in higher education: Positive responses to specific learning differences. Wiley.

Silberman, S. (2015). NeuroTribes: The legacy of autism and the future of neurodiversity. Penguin.

Sonuga-Barke, E., & Thapar, A. (2020). The Neurodiversity Concept: Is it Helpful for Clinicians and Scientists? The British Journal of Psychiatry.

Thomas, C., & Baker, C. I. (2013). Teaching an adult brain new tricks: A critical review of the evidence for training-dependent structural plasticity in humans. NeuroImage, 73, 225-236.

Thomas, M. S., Annaz, D., Ansari, D., Scerif, G., Jarrold, C., & Karmiloff-Smith, A. (2009). Using developmental trajectories to understand developmental disorders. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 52(2), 336-358.

How to Connect with the AoC Team:

If you want more information on these and other similar topics, reach out to our team directly at [email protected]!

If you want to connect with us face to face, check out our Live Events schedule.

And speaking of live events, this is your LAST CHANCE to sign up for our Apprenticeship Workshop in Canton, GA on July 29th & 30th. Hosted ...