How can creative coaching be more neurodiverse-friendly?

Let's get real about creative coaching and consulting

TL:DR from the cats of Rebel Yell Creative: Most coaching advice sucks. The human's doesn't.

In a previous post, I talked about how most creative coaching (and other coaching) is bullshit. To sum up:

Generally, I think we're all playing a game, whether we acknowledge it or not. The game? That we LOVE capitalism. We LOVE whatever we have to do in order to make money. We LOVE working, and work, and work colleagues, and work bosses, and we LOVE IT SO MUCH, forever and ever amen.

And as part of that game, we swap marketing and creative advice, and 'truisms,' and work-work-work slogans, and productivity tips, and we pretend that it's not made-up fuckery of the highest order.

Beyond that make-believe: Most coaching is based in neurotypical behaviors and demands. Which leaves out us autistic, ADHD, and otherwise neurodiverse creative folks.

Why should coaching be neurodiverse-friendly?

Whenever we make changes to allow for all types of people, it benefits all people.

When the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, those against it thought about inconvenience. How inconvenient it was for businesses and government to have to spend the money to make accessible ramps, bathrooms, and parking spots. How inconvenient that the Department of Education had to develop methods to teach kids that would have been barred from schools before. How inconvenient that we had to, as a society, break tradition.

But take just one example: accessible ramps. They made it easier for everyone, disabled and not: the woman on crutches with a temporary injury; the dad who's pushing a stroller; the walking commuter with a roller cart full of groceries.

When we actually take the time to think through our physical spaces, the ways we do things, the barriers and entries, we can come up with solutions that benefit everyone.

Same with coaching. If we examine our assumptions and systems, we can spot areas that could make it better for everyone. Here's just a few examples:

• Assumption: A Zoom meeting is no big deal.

  • Reality: I'm an autistic person, and I struggle with any meetings, even those online.

• Assumption: Typical advice around productivity applies to everyone.

  • Reality: Productivity culture is all about speed and grind. Autistic people like me, people with ADHD, and others, often don't work well with this.

• Assumption: We're all working towards big money, big fame, big gains.

  • Reality: Those goals don't work for everyone. And no matter if we like it or not, some of us are locked out of those goals, due to systemic inequities.

Can creative coaching work for neurodivergent, autistic, and ADHD people?

When we reexamine coaching and how it works, it becomes a powerful tool for people with ADHD, autistic people, and neurodivergent folks.

What does that look like?

• Hyperfocus on the individual. There's no formula or structure that is going to work for everyone. So instead, coaching should focus on you. Your individual goals, your identities, your learning styles and needs, your specific daily realities, and more.

• Intersectional understanding, at all times. Most marketing and creative advice comes from cis white men or women. And the advice is absolutely oblivious of the factors that can play into making goals and dreams a reality. They ignore systemic inequalities that will make it harder for many people. Instead, all creative thinking and guidance should come from an intersectional perspective.

• Multiple coaching methods. Coaching should be offered beyond just one-on-one meetings. These can be a nightmare for autistic people in particular. Instead, coaching can be done via instant message. Email. Audio notes back and forth. And more, all based in what works for that individual.

• Grounded, small, focused goals. Rather than a basis in neurotypical and productivity based goals of reaching millions of people, creative coaching can promote the power of small. And reaching the people who need to hear you, even if that's just one person.

• Art as resistance. Not sure what I mean? Listen to The Art of Resistance Podcast for examples of writers, musicians, and other artists who use their art as resistance to tyranny, patriarchy, and the status quo.

• DIY or personalized? All good. Learning how to do something yourself can be incredible. Particularly when you're neurodiverse. I taught myself how to podcast, and the satisfaction of seeing that work turn into something I'm proud of? Beyond. So creative coaching should offer a DIY journey.

So....Is creative coaching for me?

I see a lot of searches for things like: Is creative coaching for me? What does a creative coach do? Is a creative coach really worth it today, especially in this economy?

And for neurodiverse people, creative coaching as it's typically formulated may not be for us. Because it's based in the type of marketing and business coaching that's all made up.

But that's why I offer something different. Creative coaching that's not corporate bullshit. Creative coaching and DIY for individuals and organizations rooted in reality. Creative guidance and resources for introverts and neurodiverse as much as the extroverts.

I'm using the term 'creative coaching' because I want to find people where they're at. But I want to redefine the terms. I want to get real, and help everyone make the art that matters.

If you're autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodiverse, and want some guidance from another neurodiverse creative person, let's talk!

Sound interesting? Here's a free and easy way to see if this works for you: Sign up for the Rebel Yell Creative newsletter and get a free Creative Review and Reframe Workbook. Real talk and real advice.