Are you or someone close to you neurodiverse? Could you do with some help and support?
Laurence Tocreau is an ND Coach who supports young people and their families to feel good about the differences that being neurodiverse brings. She helps people play to their strengths and find their place in a neurotypical world.
What is Neurodiversity?
In the 1990s a sociologist coined the term 1neurodiversity to promote equality and inclusion for neurological minorities. What started as a way to find recognition for those who experience and interact with the world around them in different ways, is now prompting more research and understanding into the uniqueness and value of different neurological conditions.
Neurodiversity is not a new fad, it is finally a recognition of something that is growing fast among young people and refuses to be marginalised and negatively labelled as it was before.
1 Neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities
Who is Laurence Tocreau
Laurence Tocreau is an education specialist, who has journeyed through the education system as a qualified teacher, mentor to student teachers, communications consultant and as a coach. With over 30 years expertise she has experienced a variety of educational settings and systems in a number of countries.
This has brought her up close to the learning and development challenges of many children, young people and adults. What they have taught her unequivocally is that there is no “right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving:
‘Differences are not to be viewed as ‘deficits’.
In the 1980s Laurence worked in France in a special institution for children with ‘behavioural difficulties’ – one of the euphemisms of these times. She discovered that her students were her best teachers on what was needed, whereas her freshly obtained traditional teacher training had failed her.
Continuing her career as a teacher for 20 years in South Africa, working with many neurodiverse young people and being herself a primary carer for two young people who were recognised as neurodiverse in the mid-2000s, Laurence realised she needed to fight for those with ND to accept themselves and to be accepted by their parents, teachers and by society at large.
So, how can Laurence help now?
As a result, Laurence has developed a unique whole system approach to supporting those with neurodiversity whether or not they are officially diagnosed. She uses a variety of coaching methods that match the needs of the individual and those around them. Typically Laurence coaches the young person directly as well as the main caregivers and where appropriate, teachers, to help create effective support structures that result in an increase in confidence and capability for everyone.
Working with Laurence you will:
- Come to see neurodiversity as a gift.
- Increase your own confidence, self-esteem and self-belief to navigate your/others’ neurodiversity.
- Recognise how to support yourself/others when life is challenging.
- Establish structures that will support you/others to get the best out of school/work/life.
- Discover what is right with you.
Next Step
If a young person is struggling at school, or at home, it can be important for them to have someone to talk to who has experience of and deeply understands what it is like to think, learn and behave differently from others in a group, in a class, or in life.
Laurence offers a free initial consultation to establish your needs and how she can help. Laurence also supports adults, especially those who feel their original educational experience did not meet their needs.
An initial set of three x 90 minute Zoom coaching calls is usually recommended.