The Unifying Theory of Me

The moment I learned I am Autistic was the moment life started to make sense to me. 

•  I transformed from an alien naturalist covertly studying and trying to mimic humans to being a part of community of humans with overlapping experiences.
• I now fully live in the push – pull interaction of the being autistic and being ADHD. 
• I continue to move towards being an authentic, less masked me.
• As part of this community,  I am also starting to understand my chronic health issues as well.
• I am both incredibly strong and disabled.
• I am well and sick.
• I am easy going and rigid.
• I can be extremely organized and have it all together and struggle to get words out.
• I get to be the paradox that I am.

As I began to reinvent myself, my environment, my interactions I became more and more fulfilled. Ultimately, I became driven to share and support others who are either neurodivergent or an ‘alien’ in any other way. I understand first hand what it feels like to work in systems that are not designed for you. With the help of the Happy Startup Vision 20/20 program I saw what I had to offer to the world and chose to pour myself into this endeavor. 

Traditional Cred

I may be a bit unlike many neurodivergent humans in that I like school (although my intense auditory processing issues caused me to develop some creative work arounds for learning). Perhaps it was being raised by teachers and lifelong learners, or perhaps it was because I could see the “formula” plus add in a bit of my quirkiness.

• My Bachelor’s of Science (and my first unintentional foray into systems work) was in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Kentucky.
• During that time, I studied systematics at the University of Ottawa and did field research for the National Science Foundation (The Effects of Land Use History on Dendrobates Pumilio).
• Next in the education line was intensive training in Secondary Science Education which I used to teach grades 6-12 for 11+ years. 
• Then I was off to Seattle for a Master’s in Whole Systems Design. This phenomenal program at Antioch University merged systems thinking with fundamental design principles to leverage social systems and facilitate change.
• Most recently, I have been trained by the ADD Coaching Academy (ADDCA) leading to ICF (International Coaching Federation) and PAAC (Professional ADHD Coaching Competencies) certification.
• As well as Intensive Autism Coach Training with the Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE).

Practical Cred 

In addition to formal learning, I have learned from my experiences, careers, and hobbies.

• As an operations director and communications manager I used much of my systems training to update practices and technology for a rapidly growing environmental consulting firm. 
• I ‘fell into’ tech support due to a curiosity of all things and a desire for smooth operations.
• While there (no surprise now), I became the supervisor for all of the neurodivergent staff and coached many others.
• As an educator, I spent 11 years in the classroom and another five as an outreach educator and Green Team advisor.
• I taught seven different science classes and loved designing curriculum and exploring diverse ways of learning.
• After becoming weary of traditional methods of environmental work, I co-founded Art+Tech+Trash a maker group that worked with human ages 5 – 80 to create art from items bound for the landfill as well as programmable LEDs.
• I belong to several dynamic communities that expand my thinking and provide valuable support including Mom on the Spectrum, The Happy Startup School, The School of the Possible, and the Superhero Institute.

I am an outspoken anti-perfectionist and work in loose collaboration with the Rebel-Pause crew in the Netherlands to spread a punk rock ethos and rebel advocacy.