Mike and Chaya sit down with Jane Singleton, a learning specialist, executive coach, and founder of Launchpad for Life. With over a decade of experience in education, Jane shares how her early experiences advocating for people with disabilities ignited her passion for helping neurodivergent individuals thrive. She discusses the gaps in traditional schooling, the importance of effective communication, and the transformative power of understanding your own cognitive profile to build sustainable habit change.

We Also Cover

• Why understanding a child’s cognitive characteristics matters more than focusing on a label.
• The historical context and societal biases in special education and learning support.
• The importance of universal design for learning and making accommodations accessible for everyone.
• How societal stigma around neurodiversity leads to miscommunication and missed opportunities.
• Why knowing the “why” is crucial for motivation, especially for neurodivergent individuals.
• The danger of making assumptions about what others know in relationships and the workplace.
• How to model healthy emotional regulation and boundary setting as an adult.
• The connection between passive decision-making and missed opportunities for growth.
• Why teaching decision-making frameworks is essential for independence in teenagers.
• The importance of networking and building connections for success beyond grades.
• Why unrealistic goals and fear of failure hinder motivation and self-discovery.

Quotes:

• "It's really not the label, it's those cognitive characteristics. What's your work memory, processing speed? It's as much of the label as really understanding how your brain works"
• "Can you really be cognitive efficient if you are not aware and accepting of your weaknesses?"
• "Our capacity is limited... Emotional things and cognitive tasks drain from the same bucket, and I think people forget that."

About Jane Singleton:

Jane has over 13 years experience as an educational leader, learning specialist and collaborative work with clinical psychologists has given her a unique understanding of cognitive and emotional profiles. She is the founder and executive coach at Launchpad for life, LLC and helps clients build awareness around strengths and areas of growth. She specializes in identifying root causes of motivation, self-esteem and communication difficulties. She is a certified ICF executive coach. She has created engaging presentations for diverse institutions on topics such as building cognitive efficiency, growing and maintaining self-esteem and motivation, effective communication and building decision-making frameworks.

Connect with Jane:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/janesingleton/
• https://www.instagram.com/launchpadforlife/
• https://www.launchpadforlife.org/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/launchpad-for-life-llc/

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• All listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch
• Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost

Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- First Session Free:

• https://web.withwarmer.com/customer/browse-experts/593