As a result of my 2017 late diagnosis of autism at 48-years-old, my career path expanded exponentially.
From 1998 until 2017, my career focused solely on organizational leadership. In my capacity as a leadership coach and trainer, I worked with organizational clients in healthcare, education, governmental services, not-for-profits etc. as an executive leadership coach, trainer, and public speaker.
After my autism diagnosis, I returned to formal education to pursue a doctoral degree in leadership, policy, and governance in a post-secondary context with a research focused on how higher education leaders, faculty, and professional staff can enhance services and outcomes for autistic students in higher education.
Throughout my doctoral studies, I maintained engagement with my organizational clients who recognized the valuable perspective my disability provided, informing policies and practices within their specific organizational contexts. My organizational clients recognized that autistic and neurodivergent individuals likely already work in their environments, especially considering that 1 in 36 individuals are identified as Autistic.
As a result of my diagnosis, doctoral research, and ongoing research, I have broadened my professional focus to encompass education and training on autism, neurodivergence, Universal Design, and social justice. I engage in both in-person and virtual formats, offering synchronous and asynchronous bespoke workshops and micro-training sessions. Grounded in evidence-based practices and focused on outcomes, my approach integrates industry-specific best practices. Each workshop and speech is meticulously tailored to the needs of my clients. Drawing from my personal experiences as an autistic individual and my active involvement in communities of practice within autism research, leadership, organizational coaching, and workshop training gamification, my work is enriched and guided by collective expertise. These communities are dedicated to driving innovation and shaping best practices in our respective fields.
I have spoken on the topics of autism and neurodivergence: intersectionality & social justice for INSAR, Universal Design, for City University New York autism and human trafficking for Free for Life, autism research for CBC Radio, autism and late diagnosis for Spectrum News and Story Collider where I was voted one of the top picks for Story Collider’s 10th anniversary (1:35 mark of video).
As well, I am honoured to have co-led an international cross-institutional research on autism and Universal Design training for Faculty under the leadership of the esteemed Dr. Kristen Gillespie-Lynch.
For more information about my work and what I can do for your organization, please contact me at: tc@adaptcoach.com
Adapt Coaching & Training 