During our March network event, the WBII was delighted to welcome Jacinta Noonan, an ADHD coach, who shared with us some tips for ‘Understanding Neurodiverse Clients for Small Business Success’. The presentation was engaging, the discussion fruitful and again, an event we were proud to share.
Among the topics discussed were:
• Understanding ADHD traits and behaviours
• Time management strategies for working with ADHD clients
• Setting realistic boundaries and managing expectations at both ends
• Effective communication techniques with ADHD clients
• Handling oversharing and tangential conversations
• The role of medication in managing ADHD
• Identifying potential ADHD clients
Jacinta began by explaining that ADHD is characterised by persistent and pervasive behaviours that significantly impair functioning across multiple areas of life, not just in specific situations. She shared her personal experience of being diagnosed with ADHD in her early 30s and the challenges she faced, such as procrastination, time management issues and difficulty focusing.
She provided strategies for working with clients who exhibit ADHD traits, such as setting clear expectations and boundaries, and dealing with consequences for project overruns. She emphasised the importance of being firm and strict with deadlines and time management, as ADHD individuals often struggle with time blindness and underestimating task durations.
We discussed effective communication techniques, including using visual cues, repetition and redirecting tangential conversations. Jacinta advised against feeding into oversharing or getting drawn into lengthy personal stories, as this can derail productivity.
She also addressed the role of medication in managing ADHD, emphasising that medication alone does not teach skills and should be combined with learning strategies and interventions. She shared her personal experience with medication and the importance of finding the right dosage and monitoring its effects.
Overall, the session provided valuable insights and practical tips for working with ADHD clients and understanding the nuances of this condition. We encourage you to reach out to Jacinta if you have any further questions or would like to discuss this topic in more depth.
Our next session will be an online event on Thursday 17 April, where we will explore ‘Beyond the Hustle: Redefining Collaboration’, with Allyson Kukel.
