When I first started coaching neurodiverse individuals in 2001, I specialized in what was then called Asperger’s Syndrome. At the prompting of my own life coach and mentor, Phil Sandahl, co-author of Co-Active Coaching (also co-authored by Laura Whitworth and Henry Kimsey-House and published in 1998), I wrote a list of things I considered to be advantages of Asperger’s Syndrome for my first website. This was back in the days when most people did not recognize that there are many advantages of being neurodiverse. It was my most popular page for many years. Now we all know there are many aspects of being neurodiverse that we can use to our advantage. Here are just a few.

1. Focus

Your ability to focus on one objective over long periods of time without becoming distracted allows you to accomplish large and challenging tasks.

2. Unique Global Insights

Your ability to find novel connections among multi-disciplinary facts and ideas allows you to create new, coherent, and meaningful insights that others would not have reached without you.

3. Independent Thinking

Your willingness to consider unpopular or unusual possibilities generates new options and opportunities and can pave the way for others.

4. Internal Motivation

Rather than being swayed by social convention, other’s opinions, social pressure or fears, you can hold firm to your own purpose. Your unique ideas can thrive, despite naysayers.

5. Attention To Detail

Your ability to remember and process minute details without getting lost or overwhelmed gives you a distinct advantage when solving complex problems.

6. 3-Dimensional Thinking

Your ability to utilize 3-dimensional visioning gives you a unique perspective when designing and creating solutions.

7. Cutting Through The Smoke Screen

Your ability to recognize and speak the truth that is being “conveniently” ignored by others can be vital to the success of a project or endeavor.

8. Logical Decision Making

Your ability to make logical and rational decisions and stick to your course of action without being swayed by impulse or emotional reactions allows you to navigate successfully through difficult situations without being pulled off-course.

In memory of Phil Sandahl, thank you.