As we find ourselves almost halfway through 2023, it’s fun to look back on where we were just a couple of years ago and where we are today. In the midst of a world that continues to change at an unprecedented pace, one thing remains steadfast: our commitment to serving and supporting the neurodivergent community.
Given that it’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to share an update like this (a year-and-a-half in fact), I thought it was about time to bring you up to speed on the exciting developments, achievements, and innovations here at LSA. There’s a certain joy in sharing our progress, not just because of the milestones we’ve reached, but also because of the remarkable people—like you—who have supported us.
What follows is an overview of the strides we’ve made and a glimpse into the exciting things we’re working on. We’ve witnessed some significant changes, launched new programs, seen our team grow, and formed partnerships that align with our mission. As we continue to evolve, I hope some of this information proves valuable to you and the people we collectively serve.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
Too Long, Didn’t Read (TL;DR)
As we move forward in 2023, Life Skills Advocate (LSA) is thrilled to share several exciting updates. First, we’re launching a new program, Intuitive Eating for Neurodivergent Minds (IE4NM), to help neurodivergent adults make healthier food choices. Our team is growing with Karrissa Doree promoted to Head of Operations and other team members joining us.
We’re also committed to making our coaching services more financially accessible, seeking grant and partnership opportunities to offer more comprehensive financial aid. Last year, we released The Real-Life Executive Functioning Cookbook, offering a helpful cooking resource for our community (coupon code LSA20 for a 20% discount). We’re proud of our business partnership with NAPO Washington State, through which we’ve contributed to professional development trainings and more.
We have a few upcoming projects, including training for Guardian Light Family Services, a proposal to present at the 2023 Annual International Conference on ADHD, and updates to our workbook and cookbook. Connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook to stay updated. Thank you for your support on this journey.
Announcing: Intuitive Eating for Neurodivergent Minds (IE4NM)
Let’s start with an exciting announcement!
We’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new coaching program: Intuitive Eating for Neurodivergent Minds (IE4NM). This is a 9-week, one-on-one online coaching initiative focused on helping neurodivergent adults work harmoniously with their brains, facilitating healthier and happier relationship with food.
Our very own LSA coaches, Shannon Snow and Nicole Castillo, have thoughtfully crafted and will be leading this program.
Understanding Intuitive Eating & Its Benefits for Neurodivergent Individuals
So, what exactly is Intuitive Eating, and why is it a superior alternative to the standard diet culture for neurodivergent individuals? Well, intuitive eating is a mindful eating philosophy that encourages you to listen and respond to your body’s needs, freeing you from the chains of restrictive diets. For neurodivergent individuals, tuning into these internal signals can be challenging due to emotional factors, dopamine-seeking behaviors, or medication effects. This program has been tailored to address these unique challenges, showing you how to understand and respond to your body’s cues. It’s a gentle, non-judgmental approach, significantly kinder than typical diets, and it’s specifically designed for neurodivergent individuals.
To learn more about the program, click here or download our flyer.
Karrissa Doree: Our New Head of Operations
We’re also delighted to announce the promotion of Karrissa Doree to Head of Operations. Karrissa initially joined LSA as a coach in January 2022 and quickly impressed us with her remarkable client rapport and operational expertise. By June, she began dividing her time between coaching and team supervision. In December, we were thrilled to make her our first full-time employee. We’re immensely proud of her contributions to LSA’s mission and core values.
Our Growing Team
Our team at LSA continues to blossom, not only in terms of numbers but also in the wealth of knowledge and expertise that each new member brings. This growth has been a source of immense joy for us all, as we continue to foster a nurturing, collaborative environment that reflects our collective commitment to supporting the neurodivergent community.
With an ever-expanding team, we’re also able to offer a wider variety of services and programs (e.g. IE4NM) tailored to the unique needs of our clients. Each team member brings a unique set of skills and experiences that contribute to our collective mission. Whether it’s their professional qualifications, personal experiences with neurodivergence, or a keen understanding of our clients’ needs, every member adds a unique layer to our team.
I invite you to meet our incredible team members by clicking here.
Financial Aid for Our Coaching Services
Our mission is: Uplifting the neurodivergent community to embrace their strengths and self-advocate with confidence.
Outside of “neurodivergent”, there are no qualifiers in this mission statement. It’s extremely important to me and everyone on the LSA team that, in lieu of not being able to accept insurance, we find a way to make our coaching services accessible to everyone, including those in financial hardship or who otherwise can’t afford our services. Currently, we offer reduced rate coaching for the first month of service, and it’s great, but it’s really just scratching the surface. To take it to the next level, we’re actively exploring grants and partnerships with larger organizations who share a similar mission…
…but we could use your help.
If you have any suggestions for potential funding avenues or partnerships, please reach out to us, and Gretchen and I will be in touch.
We Released a Neurodivergent-Friendly Cookbook
Last year, we introduced a valuable resource for the neurodivergent community: The Real-Life Executive Functioning Cookbook. Following the success of our Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook, this cookbook offers 20 recipes and tools specially designed for the neurodivergent mind.
We’re happy to share a coupon code LSA20 for a 20% discount at checkout (this also applies to the workbook.
Our Partnership with NAPO Washington State
I’m just going to say it… I LOVE professional organizers. Why? Because they do SOOOO much more than just help people get their belongings in order. They make daily functioning easier for people. They create a safe space when people are at their most vulnerable. They destigmatize and demoralize the struggles their clients face. They teach people how to generalize organizational skills so clients can sustain what they’ve worked so hard to achieve. They volunteer their time to support marginalized communities. And a LOT more!
After meeting with a few organizers individually and hearing about all of the amazing work they’re doing firsthand, last summer, LSA decided to become business partners with NAPO Washington State.
Since then, we conducted a NAPO professional development training on the Transtheoretical Model of Change, attended multiple coffee chat events, and recently presented about LSA at their annual chapter meeting.
What’s on the Horizon for LSA?
We have lots of projects in the works! Here are just a few:
LSA coach and Business Development Coordinator, Carrie Moran, will be flying to North Platte, Nebraska in early June, to conduct a training on executive functioning to the 80+ person staff of Guardian Light Family Services.
Coaches, Brittany & Nicole submitted a proposal to present at the 2023 Annual International Conference on ADHD on the topic of navigating demand avoidance with clients through coaching. We will find out if we’ve been selected in early June.
We’ll be releasing v2 of both our workbook and cookbook later this summer.
Stay Connected with Us
While this won’t be the last time I share updates, I understand that no one is clamoring for more emails. So, if you’d like to stay informed about our latest developments in places you’re already frequenting, feel free to follow us on LinkedIn & Facebook.
Admittedly, our social media presence hasn’t been as consistent as it could be, but thanks to Amy Sippl (our content creator and co-author of our workbook and cookbook), you can expect more frequent posts with news, tips, and valuable content in the coming weeks.
In closing, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the truly inspiring work you all do every day to support our diverse community. We see and appreciate you.
Until next time,
Chris