SIG: Coaching for Neurodiversity

Welcome to the Coaching for Neurodiversity SIG!

We’re the first ICF Special Interest Group focused on neurodiversity — a space for coaches who want to work with neurodivergent clients with more skill, less guesswork, and actual understanding of how different nervous systems work.

Most coach training skips how ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent patterns show up in coaching relationships. The pacing needs. The communication differences. The power dynamics. The places where standard frameworks fail.

That’s what we’re here for — whether you’re neurodivergent yourself, already coaching ND clients, or want to understand how this shapes the work.

What we do:

• Share evidence-informed coaching approaches
• Name what’s working and what’s causing harm
• Build practical skills for neuro-affirming coaching
• Create space for questions you can’t ask elsewhere

What to expect:

• Diverse speakers. We bring in varied expert voices throughout the year. And we’re always looking for practitioners to share what they’re learning.
• Practical application. Sessions cover ethics, case studies, resources, and AI applications you can use immediately.
• CCEUs earned. NYC members earn continuing education credit just by showing up and participating (via chat, audio, or video).
• Inclusive community. Seasoned ADHD coach? Expanding your practice? Training for ACC? Join us here and in WhatsApp.

Co-Hosts:

Minal Kamlani & Rachel Katz bring complementary lenses and a shared commitment to trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming coaching rooted in lived experience. Minal focuses on corporate leadership, power dynamics, and intersectional identity for neurodivergent professionals navigating workplace systems. Rachel centers her practice on families, with deep expertise in caregiver advocacy and relational support.

Neurodiversity Profiles & Frameworks in Coaching

Neurodiversity reaches far beyond ADHD or autism — it includes a wide range of cognitive differences such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, Tourette’s, sensory-processing differences, and the many ways these profiles overlap in real life.

In this session, co-host Minal Kamlani will introduce neurodiversity as both a natural human variation and an identity-based movement. We’ll draw on several established frameworks — the Genius Within model (Nancy Doyle), the Neurodiversity Paradigm (Judy Singer/Nick Walker), and Spiky Profiles (Amanda Kirby) — to explore how environment, identity, and uneven cognitive patterns shape clients’ thinking, feelings, relationships, and strengths.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand what neurodiversity means across different cognitive profiles
• Explore what it’s like to use inclusive, strengths-based language
• Build confidence using simple frameworks to support diverse thinkers

Guest Speaker: ND SIG Co-Host Minal Kamlani

Disclaimer: The information discussed is for informational and educational purposes only. This is not a forum to seek medical advice, and attendees are reminded of the importance of respecting the boundaries between coaching and therapy or mental health counseling and of making referrals to qualified professional experts where appropriate or seeking their guidance. ICF NYC is not liable for risks, issues, or costs associated with using or acting upon any of the information provided at these events.

CCEU eligibility and issuance

In accordance with ICF guidance, in order to receive CCEUs for ICF NYC events, you must attend a minimum of 80% of the event whether virtual or in-person. 

CCEU certificates are not awarded for attending less than the 80% threshold or for watching recordings.

Please login first to register as an ICF NYC Member!