How Lived Experience Shapes The Way I Support Neurodivergent People
You don’t have to be neurodivergent yourself to take the time to listen, learn and develop a deeper understanding of neurodivergent experiences.
Those experiences will be different for every person, but greater understanding can help us challenge assumptions, reduce barriers and create environments where different ways of thinking and working are supported.
While I am not neurodivergent myself, I’ve had the privilege of supporting two neurodivergent family members and working alongside more than 50 neurodivergent professionals and business owners over the last five years.
These experiences have taught me that managing priorities, remembering tasks and navigating day-to-day life can be far more complex than simply using a planner or setting a reminder.
Neurodivergence isn’t just about how someone works; it can shape how they experience and interact with the world around them.
What I’ve Learned Along the Way
Through listening to and supporting the neurodivergent people in my life and work, I’ve learned that:
Executive functioning differences can make switching between tasks require additional energy and processing.
Traditional approaches to time management won’t work for everyone. Different ways of experiencing time and prioritising tasks may require different approaches.
Organisation isn’t just about having the right tools. Support, accountability and systems designed around the person can make a real difference.
Relationships, friendships and managing social energy can all affect someone's capacity. What others might perceive as “flaking” could be someone needing time to recover after masking or navigating an overwhelming day.
Forgetting to respond to a phone call, text, or email isn't necessarily carelessness. Working memory and executive functioning can play a part.
How This Experience Shapes How I Support Neurodivergent Professionals
At The Executive Solutions Agency, we know that productivity isn’t one-size-fits-all. Instead, we help neurodivergent entrepreneurs and professionals build personalised systems that work with the way they think and work, not against it.
Supporting my family and working alongside neurodivergent clients has taught me to look beyond the obvious solution and understand what the person actually needs.
For example:
A to-do list isn't helpful if looking at it creates overwhelm. We can find clearer, more manageable ways to organise tasks and priorities.
A reminder isn't always the right solution. We provide proactive accountability and explore what actually helps someone take action.
Life outside of work matters too. We recognise the whole person and understand that capacity doesn't begin and end with the working day.
Most importantly, we listen. We don't assume that something will work because it worked for somebody else.
From One-to-One Support to Inclusive Teams
Before founding The Executive Solutions Agency, I spent 17 years working in the construction industry. That experience showed me just how demanding fast-paced, high-pressure working environments can be, and how workplace systems aren't always designed with different ways of thinking and working in mind.
Now, alongside our virtual PA and support worker services, we work with employers in construction and beyond to create more inclusive teams and recruitment processes, and help people navigate and access support through Access to Work.
Our team offers:
Awareness training for site and office teams
Co-coaching for neurodivergent staff and their peers
Inclusive recruitment support
Access to Work guidance and support worker services
Because inclusion shouldn’t be an add-on. It should be built in from the foundations.
Why This Matters for Business Owners
Asking someone else for support can feel like a big step, particularly if you've spent years working in ways that don't quite fit you or feeling as though other people don't understand what you need.
That's why our approach at ESA starts with listening.
My personal experiences first shaped my understanding, but the years I've spent working alongside neurodivergent people have continued to shape how my team and I provide support. We don't claim to know someone else's experience. Instead, we listen, learn and build support around the person in front of us.
That means creating systems rooted in understanding rather than assumptions and providing support that recognises the whole person behind the job title.
If you're a neurodivergent business owner looking for support, or a team leader who wants to create a more inclusive workplace, we'd love to help.
We offer a FREE 15-minute call to answer your questions and discuss how my team and I could support you.
About The Executive Solutions Agency
The Executive Solutions Agency provides flexible, tailored support for neurodivergent professionals, creative business owners and construction professionals. We work around the way you work, helping you create more clarity, structure and space to focus on what matters.
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