foto: Harold Pereira
Neurodiversity - Not trying harder, but discovering how your system works.
Maybe you already know that you have ADHD, are autistic, or identify with another form of neurodivergence. Or perhaps you simply recognise that you respond differently to stimuli, energy, expectations or stress.
You can understand a lot about yourself and still find yourself running into the same patterns again and again.
Your mind may understand what is happening. But your system doesn’t always follow.
In my work, we don’t focus on how you can become better at adapting. Instead, we explore how you work. What gives you energy? What drains it? When does your system switch into high gear? When do you become overstimulated or, on the other hand, struggle to get going? And how do you notice all of this in your body?
The aim is not to fix yourself, but to get to know your own operating manual better and better.
In addition to my background in body-oriented therapy and coaching, I am a certified Neurodiversity Coach. In my work, I combine knowledge of neurodiversity with a body-oriented approach, so we don’t just look at what you understand intellectually, but also at what is happening within your system.
Maybe you recognise this
You often feel ‘switched on’ and find it difficult to truly relax.
You become overstimulated more easily than you would like, or only realise something was too much when it is already too late.
You can procrastinate endlessly and then suddenly spend hours in hyperfocus.
Rationally, you know perfectly well what you need, yet you regularly find yourself doing the opposite.
You adapt easily to other people and sometimes only realise afterwards that you have crossed your own boundaries.
Or perhaps you function perfectly well on the outside, while on the inside it takes far more energy than anyone can see.
Rather than learning even more strategies, it can help to first become better at recognising what is actually happening in your system.
Neurodiversity isn’t just about your mind
Neurodiversity refers to the natural differences in how our brains and nervous systems function. ADHD and autism, for example, are forms of neurodivergence, but not everyone who recognises neurodivergent traits in themselves has a diagnosis.
A lot of support focuses on understanding, planning, creating structure and changing behaviour. All of that can be very valuable.
But we don’t experience life through our minds alone.
Overstimulation, restlessness, tension, fatigue and difficulty switching between activities are physical experiences too. That is why I combine coaching and conversation with body-oriented therapy, breathwork, mindfulness and, where appropriate, movement or other experiential practices.
Not just talking about what is happening, but learning to recognise it while it is happening.
The Character Check-in
An important part of the way I work is the Character Check-in.
It is a brief moment to check in with three things:
Energy
How much energy do I have right now?
Activation
How ‘switched on’ is my system?
Body
What am I noticing right now, and what does my system seem to need?
Checking in like this regularly can help you start recognising patterns.
You may discover that you are not necessarily ‘lazy’ when you cannot get yourself moving, but that your activation is low. Or that you only notice how tired you are once you finally stop. You may notice that something interesting suddenly gives you a burst of energy, while something you ‘have to’ do can feel almost impossible.
The Character Check-in helps you understand how your energy and activation work, and how you can make them work for you.
What can we explore together?
That will be different for everyone.
We might look at overstimulation and recovery, always being ‘on’, recognising and communicating boundaries, managing your energy, procrastination, hyperfocus, difficulty starting or stopping, structure and flexibility, masking and adapting, or becoming better at recognising what your body needs.
But we also look at what already works well.
Your creativity, sensitivity, intensity, enthusiasm, associative thinking, humour, curiosity or your ability to become completely absorbed in something.
Being neurodivergent is not simply a collection of things you struggle with.
How I work
My background is in body-oriented therapy, coaching, massage, yoga, breathwork, mindfulness and systemic work. I have also specialised in neurodiversity. My interest in this field is personal as well.
I only discovered that I have ADHD as an adult. Many things I had spent years seeing as difficult, chaotic or simply ‘typical Suzanne’ suddenly looked different.
I bring that experience into my work, but your'experience is at the centre. There is no standard neurodivergent brain, so there is no standard approach either.
Together, we explore what works for you.
Sometimes through conversation. Sometimes through the body. Sometimes in a practical, concrete way. And sometimes by not immediately trying to find a solution.
Neurodiversity support
You can book an individual session or choose a longer programme.
A programme gives us more time to recognise patterns, experiment with different approaches and discover what genuinely helps you in everyday life. Sessions are available in 60 or 90-minute formats.
Not sure yet whether this way of working is right for you? You can start with a free 20-minute introductory call.
Neurodiversity in Balance
Would you prefer to start exploring on your own?
In my Dutch ebook Neurodiversiteit in Balans, you’ll find information and recognition around neurodiversity, energy, sensory input and self-regulation.
I am also developing a practical workbook and Character Cards based around the Character Check-in.
Not to become even better at managing yourself, but to become more curious about how your system works. To notice sooner when your energy shifts, when tension starts to build, or when you are struggling to get moving.
And to ask yourself a little more often:
**How am I right now, and what do I actually need?**
You don’t always have to figure that out on your own.
Would you like to explore how your neurodivergent brain and body work together? You are welcome to book an individual session, a trajectory, or start with a free introductory call.