Introduction to Neurodiversity Coaching
Overview
- Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
- Convenor: Professor Almuth McDowall
- Assessment: a 3000-word learning log (100%)
Module description
This module is designed for coaching practitioners, already holding a relevant qualification, who are seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge to work towards effective coaching in a neurodiversity context.
It provides you with the opportunity to develop and enact neurodiversity coaching compassionately, ethically and informed by best evidence. Learning takes place via a blended approach, with four days of face-to-face teaching, delivered in purpose-built facilities as two weekend sessions in London, supplemented by online study, via Birkbeck’s virtual learning environment. You will participate in collaborative sessions and one-to-one tutorials online, and access video resources, readings and individual learning activities. Academic content is translated into practical sessions and case studies delivered by expert facilitators.
Indicative syllabus
- Clean language interviewing
- Neurodiversity diagnosis, language and framing
- Typical functional struggles and strength
- Peer practice: five senses exercise, peer feedback, contracting
- Ethical and professional frameworks
- Cognitive and behavioural topics: memory and self-organisation, thinking errors, preparing for specific job tasks
Learning objectives
By the end of this module, you will be able to demonstrate:
- knowledge of recent, psychology-based research underpinning neurodiversity coaching and critical appraisal of this through an intersectional lens
- understanding of neurodiversity diagnosis, presentation and typical job performance strengths and struggles
- competence and confidence to coach in a neurodiversity context with cognitive/behavioural topics
- practice of neurodiversity coaching in a safe environment with supervision, skilfully navigating ethical and professional boundaries
- the ability to write an independent learning log about professional and reflective experience which is grounded in academic research.