In this podcast episode, Melissa Venable, NCDA's Director of Professional Development, hosts a conversation on creating neurodiverse-affirming practices with Janine Rowe, a licensed mental health counselor, and Elle O'Flaherty, Principal of Interlace Solutions Coaching. They discuss the concept of neurodiversity, which includes conditions like autism and ADHD, and emphasize moving from a deficit to a strengths-based model. They share personal insights and experiences, highlight the importance of understanding individual needs, and offer practical advice for career development professionals working with neurodiverse clients. Key topics include understanding communication differences, the importance of interest-based strengths for ADHD clients, and navigating the complexities of the disclosure process under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The conversation underscores the need for flexible, collaborative approaches to support neurodiverse individuals in career development.

Janine Rowe is a doctoral student in Counselor Education at the University of Rochester, in Rochester, NY. She is a licensed mental health counselor, a certified career counselor, and nationally certified counselor in private practice in Rochester, NY. She is currently a counselor at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She was most recently a career counselor and Assistant Director of Disability & Career Services at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She is the winner of the New York State Career Development Association (NYSCDA) Early Career Professional award (2014) and the RIT Presidential Award for Excellence (2018). Janine was a participant in National Career Development Association’s Counselor Education and Leadership Academies and is the previous Vice-President and President of the NYSCDA.

Elle O’Flaherty, JD, PCC, is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and founder of Interlace Solutions Coaching. Specializing in performance optimization and ADHD strategies, she empowers professionals and organizations to excel. She has been featured in national media outlets including Medium, Yahoo Finance, and Atlassian. Elle delivers research-backed insights and practical tools with humor to enhance productivity, leadership, and career growth. In her previous life, Elle was a litigator and international trade negotiator for nearly 17 years.

Resources

• Person-first language
• ADA and Disclosure
• Investigating Markers of Rapport in Autistic and Nonautistic Interactions - Autism in Adulthood

Want to learn more? Career Planning Academy:

• Certified Autism Career and Employment Specialist - Instructor: Janine Rowe
• Certified ADHD Career Strategist - Instructor: Elle O'Flaherty

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