Do you wonder whether you are autistic, an ‘ADHDer’, dyslexic, or a neurodivergent doctor or health leader?
The prevalence of neurodivergence in doctors and public health leaders – such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, giftedness, as well as serious mental illness and other clinical conditions – has not been quantified.
Medical, Public Health and Health Science Careers select for autism
Since medicine, public health, and health sciences are all careers which select for common autistic characteristics, including attention to detail, pattern recognition, and conscientiousness, the prevalence of neurodivergence is likely to be at least the same as the general population.
More senior doctors, medical and public health leaders are wondering whether they are autistic, an ‘ADHDer’, dyslexic, or are neurodivergent.
My Neurodiversity-Affirming Coaching Psychology Practice
Neurodiversity-affirming practice is an approach that recognises and values the diversity of neurological differences in our society including those found in autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, giftedness, intellectual disability, tics and Tourette Syndrome, schizophrenia and more.
Neurodiversity-affirming practice is built upon the understanding that an individual’s disability emerges from the interaction between their characteristics and their environment and understands that neurodivergent individuals have unique strengths and valuable perspectives to contribute to society.
Neurodivergent people are a minority group, and as such experience minority stress, discrimination, stigmatisation, and trauma, the outcome of which include significantly worse occupational outcomes. A high proportion of neurodivergent adults are still undiagnosed or unidentified.
As part of my ongoing commitment to inclusion I have adapted my coaching and training services to better meet the needs of neurodivergent health care professionals, including designing systems and processes and developing a learner support policy for doctors and public health leaders whom I am coaching, training and/ or supervising.
Principles of Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice
I follow the principles of neurodiversity-affirming practice including:
1. All people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect
2. Having equal access to services is a fundamental human right
3. Supports and services should be adapted to meet the needs of the individual rather than expecting the individual to adapt to how the service is provided
4. The strengths, abilities and thinking patterns of neurodivergent individuals should be acknowledged and appreciated
5. Everyone shares an equal responsibility for effective communication; neurodivergent people should not be expected to adapt their approach to meet service providers’ needs (‘double empathy theory’)
6. Stereotypes and negative stigma associated with neurodivergence should be actively challenged
7. Earlier identification and/or diagnosis leads to better mental and physical health outcomes and therefore identification of neurodivergence is a priority
8. Members of the neurodivergent community must be included in the design of any services that affect them – “nothing about us without us”
Are you a neurodivergent doctor or public health specialist in a leadership role?
Whether you self identify or have had your neurodivergence identified or diagnosed, I can help you to identify and build on your strengths as an autistic doctor or public health specialist. While everyone’s profile is unique, there are many neurodivergent leadership strengths, such as being honest, direct, focused, having a strong ethical compass, able to think in complexity – among others. I can help you to identify and build on your strengths as leader in public health specialist or as a doctor with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or with the combination of autism and ADHD increasingly known as ‘AuDHD’.-
Please note that I do not undertake formal identification, but I can help you to explore whether seeking a formal opinion would be helpful for you – should you wish to explore this.
How can I meet your needs even better?
Please do get in touch and let me know what more you need from me to help me to be increasingly neurodiversity-affirmative in my coaching psychology practice!
Dr Fiona Day is the world’s only Leadership Coach with advanced coaching psychology, medical and public health qualifications (MBChB, FFPH, BPS Chartered Psychologist in Coaching Psychology, EMCC Master Practitioner Coach & Mentor) and is in a unique position to help you and your teams to flourish. Fiona specialises in coaching medical and public health leaders, is a coach Supervisor, and an EQA Foundation Award Holder. Get 3 hours of FREE CPD with Fiona’s Health Career Success Programme here. Book a free confidential 30 minute Consultation with Fiona here.
