Liz Makhramadzhyan

Biography

Hello, I’m Liz! I grew up in California, moved to Arizona in 2018, and now live in beautiful Washington with my husband and our three wonderfully weird cats: Squirrel, Sam, and Oliver. They’ve got questionable judgment and zero respect for personal space, and I adore them.

I got my Bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Development from Cal State Fullerton and later earned my Master’s in Special Education from Arizona State University. I’ve been a babysitter, behavioral therapist, tutor, and job coach, and I’ve supported neurodiverse individuals with everything from life and social skills to executive functioning and workplace readiness.

As someone who also experiences the world through a neurodivergent lens, I deeply understand how real the challenges can be, especially with things like time management, task initiation, and managing overwhelm. I know what it’s like to be misunderstood, labeled, or pressured to fit into systems that weren’t built with us in mind. That’s why I always lead with validation. I want the people I work with to feel seen, heard, and supported, because that’s the kind of space I’ve needed too.

My coaching style is calm, curious, and collaborative. I meet people where they are, move at a pace that feels doable, and make room for every win, no matter how small. I prioritize building trust, adapting tools to the individual, and exploring to find what works for your brain. Outside of work, you’ll likely find me starting another new crochet project, playing cozy video games, or listening to music (especially Paramore).

What are some of your special interests?

One of my biggest special interests is music. I enjoy writing it, listening to it, and watching it live (or on YouTube, because concert tickets are pricey). I am a longtime fan of Paramore, and I also love discovering new artists and noticing how music changes over the years. Music helps me regulate, feel grounded, and connect to myself and the world around me. I am deeply grateful for its existence.

I also enjoy creating anything that involves working with my hands. Crocheting, building with Legos, embroidery, and even putting together IKEA furniture all sound like perfect ways for me to spend my free time.

Last but not least, cozy video games. Games like Palia, The Sims, and House Flipper allow me to enjoy a low-stakes environment whenever the world gets too loud. They also give me the opportunity to express my love of organizing, decorating, and building in a way that feels so soothing.

What does executive functioning mean to you?

Executive functioning, to me, is my brain trying its hardest to show up for me in healthy and helpful ways so I can handle everyday life. It’s about using strategies to stay on track with tasks, make decisions, motivate myself to start or finish projects, and hold myself accountable across all areas of life. It’s hardly easy, so I believe in celebrating all the wins, even (and especially) the small ones.

What is a strategy you use with clients and use personally?

Timers and calendar apps are my go-to time management tools. At first, remembering to set them wasn’t easy, but with practice, it became a habit. My anxiety has made me hyper-aware of cues in my environment, so picking up on scheduling cues came naturally. The real challenge was actually logging those cues into my phone! Luckily, since my phone is always nearby, building that habit felt doable. Now, I (almost) always set an alarm or calendar reminder on the spot. I still forget sometimes, because I am human, but it has made managing my time so much easier in the long run.

As a coach, I love helping people build habits that actually fit who they are. I really believe change sticks best when it feels natural, not forced. So instead of trying to overhaul everything, we start with the patterns and behaviors that are already there and build from that.

How has your personal experience and professional development impacted your coaching?

I grew up in a traditional environment where being your true self earned you a lot of confused stares. I was taught early on there are “right” and “wrong” ways to appear in the world, and being myself seemed to be on the side that no one approved of. As I grew up and became more independent, I felt lost in a world that felt like an ocean full of never-ending waves, and I had no life jacket, map, or compass.

Working with neurodivergent individuals helped me unlearn those beliefs and find new ones that fit who I truly am. I began to see the value in different ways of thinking and realized that being myself isn't just okay—it’s necessary. I stopped trying to shrink myself and started embracing the parts of me that once felt like too much. This is why I bring empathy, respect, validation, and compassion into every coaching relationship. Everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and safe being exactly who they are.

How would you describe your personal approach to coaching?

My coaching approach is always rooted in validation, empathy, no judgment, and taking things one step at a time. I believe everyone deserves compassion and a safe space to explore what’s going on beneath the surface. From there, we work as a team to find what motivates you and what strategies fit best based on who you already are. I also bring a growth mindset to my work, believing that change happens when we give ourselves room to learn, adapt, and keep trying. With my background in behavioral therapy, I’m great at helping people discover that spark that gets things moving. I listen closely, offer gentle reminders, and support you in building confidence and independence in a way that feels natural and sustainable.

Which of LSA's core values resonates the most with you, and how do you incorporate it with your clients?

The core value of Bravery in Advocacy really resonates with me because I’ve personally struggled with advocating for myself in the past. Over time, I’ve seen how important advocacy is, not just for getting what you want, but for building the confidence and skills to consistently show up for yourself. Even when things don’t go perfectly, the act of speaking up is a win in itself. In my role as a coach at LSA, I aim to encourage clients to find their own voices and embrace that bravery, reminding them that putting their needs first is a powerful step toward autonomy and growth.

Do you have an area of coaching you specialize in?

I specialize in helping clients build motivation, confidence, emotional awareness, and self-advocacy skills. I’ve also spent over a decade working with individuals with Autism, in addition to supporting clients in reaching their academic goals.