Sometimes there’s a better way and we just don’t know it yet.
I remember the moment I shared with my then coaching clients that I needed to switch from offering video coaching sessions to audio phone sessions. At the time it felt like a huge thing to say and it felt tender to admit to myself: “I actually can’t do this anymore.” A few years down the road and I can identify all the ways in which video sessions were harmful to me: the sensory overload, having to keep track of both my client’s expression and body cues and make sure my own expressions accurately expressed my emotions, managing eye contact-all while coaching and writing notes! But I didn’t know there was another option until a coach I was working with modeled it for me. I think that’s something that happens with many late identified neurodivergent folks: it’s hard to advocate for the accommodations that we need when we might not even know that they exist.
So sometimes the miracle is learning of different options and exploring if a specific accommodation might be a good fit. I didn’t know what coaching via audio phone call sessions would be like but years later I see it as one of my best business decisions. Just like I’ve designed my business to be accessible to my Autistic needs, I’ve also continued to explore how I can make healing autistic affirming, accessible and supportive. One of the core reasons I do the work I do is that I believe that us neurodivergent folks deserve accessible, affirming and supportive care1. I made the above podcast episode because I want to talk about how we can make healing neurodivergent affirming, accessible and supportive.
If this is a topic that interests you, here are a few ways you can access the information:
Listen to the podcast episode at the top of this newsletter.
Read the transcript located below the episode.
Dislike podcasts or is written information just easier for you? You can find all the information in this new blog post.
Side note: Recently part of my unmasking journey has been embracing my awkwardness and WOW, do I sound awkward when I was editing the transcript. Sharing as permission to be our full, authentic, awkward, saying “um” and “like” way too many times selves. Perfectly imperfect and real. I hope you enjoy it.
What I’ve been reading:
Here are the books I’ve been reading this week. I’ll share with affiliate links, please see footnote2. I love libraries very much so I also highly encourage you to check these books out at your local library.
Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else is a fantastic book! If you’re exploring if you’re Autistic or are wanting a breakdown of the diagnostic criteria from an Autistic affirming lens-this is a great book for you.
The Fellowship of The Ring I am re-reading this book and excited about getting watching the movies after reading the books.
Gender Magic is a fantastic book that I think everyone should read. But specifically trans and non-binary folks, clinicians who work with LGBTQIA+ clients and folks in the queer community.
Curious about working together?
I’m enrolling clients in my 5 month program The Autistic Mentorship and The Intro Coaching Package. If my content resonates with you, you might really enjoy working with me 1:1. I work with late identified Autistic/AuDHDer and queer clients on really beautiful things like:
Autistic life coaching & support
Autistic and queer centered somatic trauma resolution
Post traumatic growth in queerness, neurodivergence and sexuality
Getting unmet childhood needs met not as an adult.
Unpacking internalized ableism and shame, anger work, boundary work and more.
Head to my website for more information and feel free to reach out with any questions. I offer free 60 minute Feeler Calls to potential clients who feel like a good fit.
Thank you for reading!
I appreciate you being here and I hope you enjoyed today’s newsletter. Please feel free to share it with someone who you think might appreciate it, to “like” it or share a comment. I love connecting with you all in the comments-and in typical slow fashion it might take me a bit to respond but I always will :)
Sending care + queer autistic joy,
Obviously everyone deserve accessible, affirming and supportive care! But I think it can be so healing when we have access to therapy and coaching that’s affirming, knowledgeable and supportive of our core identities.
This means at no cost to you I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I only feature products that I believe in. You support means so much to me and allows me to do this work.
{Podcast}: How to Make Healing Autistic Accessible.