Barbara M - Advocacy Coach and Mentor

Hi, I’m Barb, I use she/her pronouns, and I am a neuro-affirming human-rights advocate and coach. I specialise in supporting neurodivergent people to get their needs met, so they can safely participate, belong and thrive throughout all areas of their lives. 

Lived experience:

My lived experience includes autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, gender fluidity, and I live with Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome and other conditions. I’ve also had to navigate and manage extensive issues across employment, housing, healthcare, education and in public life.

Since learning I’m autistic at the age of 12, I’ve spent the three decades since advocating for my needs and getting them met in meaningful ways. But I know what a complex and daunting journey that can be, including how self-doubt can make us question ourselves.  

Experience and qualifications:

My professional experience includes 10+ years in inclusion and human-rights, and I also train employers to be neurodiversity affirming. I have additional experience, multiple qualifications and CPD in care, individual coaching and mental health.

I can:

• Listen to your story –  whatever that might be – with open-mindedness and empathy, and in a neuro-affirming and inclusive space
• Support you to discover your sensory, social and communication needs (because it often isn’t obvious!) and what your self-advocacy style is
• Co-create a thoughtful plan, and backup plans, to get your needs met at work, in education, in housing, in healthcare or in any other aspect of your life
• Support you to create healthcare, workplace or education ‘passports’ and ‘what to expect with me’ documents that to help you participate and belong
• Help you apply for certain UK and Ireland benefits for housing and disability, such as Personal Independence Payment
• Help you navigate internalised ableism, masking, autistic burnout, energy-limiting conditions and other issues that impact on self-advocacy and wellbeing.