Hi, I’m Julia!

As a certified ADHD Coach, I specialize in coaching ADHD and AuDHD adults who are looking to make their lives more neurodivergent affirming.

Building a neurodivergent affirming life includes:

• Understanding and validating your unique way of experiencing life.

  You may not understand how yet, but I promise that you make sense in the context of your biology, history, environment, etc. Our experiences aren’t just unique to ADHDers, but unique to ourselves.

• Recognizing your needs and accommodating them.

  We have different, but still, valid needs! You deserve to have your needs met as much as anyone else.

• Recognizing your strengths and values.

  You have great strengths even if you can’t think of them at the moment. Often we don’t recognize our strengths because they come easily to us. Or if we focus on what we must do better, and we may lose sight of our strengths.

• Recognizing your struggles, with self-compassion.

  The struggles and challenges are real, but to struggle is human.

• Building and finding environments where you thrive.

  Consider sensory experiences, working memory capacity, distractions, etc.

• Recognizing which environments don’t support your needs.

  When it is worth being in these uncomfortable environments? For how much time? What accommodations do you need?

• Learning how to advocate for your needs and set boundaries to protect your “spoons.”

  These are not easy, but they are very necessary for feeling a sense of control in your life and protecting your relationships.

• Cultivating your support system.

  Finding the people who understand when you need to prioritize your wellness over plans, support you emotionally, and respect your boundaries.

• Letting go of expectations that don’t serve you.

  Trying to meet expectations that require you to function like a neurotypical will steal your time, energy, sense of self, and eventually your life. You deserve your life back.

• Defining what you want out of life.

  Seriously, what do you really want? It’s up to you. It’s your life.

Julia Pfaff, AACC