Based in the Kootenays, Jenine Lillian is a Neurodiversity Consultant dedicated to empowering and supporting neurodivergent adults. SBBC sat down with Jenine to discuss their experience getting a late-in-life Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis and how it fuelled their mission to provide support, resources, and tools for neurodivergent adults to succeed both personally and professionally.
Getting an ASD Diagnosis
Earlier in 2024, Jenine was officially diagnosed with ASD at age 51. “I found the entire process very isolating and dealing with the multiple barriers was very draining,” they explained. It was difficult enough to find someone qualified to perform the assessment, but finding a certified clinician who could diagnose ASD and provide accessible Zoom consultations was even more challenging for them.
After receiving their diagnosis, it was cause for celebration. “It was lifelong validation, and then immediately I thought, ‘What’s next?'” they said. While they were excited to finally be able to access resources and supports available to formally diagnosed ASD, they noted, “At the same time, I felt a deep sadness thinking about how having this diagnosis and these supports could have made a huge difference throughout my entire life, my education, my relationships, my work history.” This emotion is what inspired them to start their business.
Starting Their Business
Jenine didn’t exactly plan to start a business, but after their ASD diagnosis, they discovered tools and resources that they knew could significantly impact their life and the lives of others with Autism and other neurodivergent conditions. “I learned about three financial benefits available to those with a formal diagnosis in Canada,” Jenine said. These include:
“Unfortunately, the path to get through these applications and hurdles has multiple barriers, especially for those neurodivergent folks who struggle with executive functioning – like filling in forms, staying on task, compiling paperwork, and completing varying complex application processes,” they said. “So, I started offering one-on-one coaching specifically for neurodivergent adults in BC with a formal diagnosis to get that application process tackled because, regardless of who you are, it’s not easy to navigate or built for you to succeed.”
In addition to one-on-one coaching, Jenine offers professional consulting, workshops and webinars, and professionally curated book lists to help support, empower, and celebrate neurodivergent adults. Jenine also offers webinars for organizations and employers to increase awareness of neurodiversity and other invisible disabilities, promote inclusion and reduce cultural stigma.
The Importance of Creating Inclusive and Accessible Workplaces
Neurodivergent individuals face significant challenges regarding work, from job applications to interviews, often feeling like the system is against them. “Even if you finally get the job, you’re not likely to fit in, or hit your deadlines, or be able to perform to the neurotypically biased workplace expectations,” Jenine said. This means that employers are missing out on a lot of amazing talent.
Jenine emphasized that neurodivergent individuals are assets in the workplace. “A few high-level benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace include a greater than normal ability to process information, creative thinking, elevated productivity, and the ability to take a different perspective,” they explained. The majority of neurodivergent adults are consistently living below the poverty line and are often underemployed or unemployed. Lots of them become entrepreneurs so that they can create a more enjoyable work life for themselves.
“There’s this myth of ‘Take your whole self to work,’” Jenine said. But, oftentimes, we’re not able to be our authentic selves at work, or socially, instead having to present a persona. “If we aren’t being inclusive and accessible, in general, then we aren’t having authentic connection,” they said. Without authentic connection, effective creation, collaboration, and communication are impossible – especially in the workplace.
How to Create a Neurodivergent-Affirming Workplace
Creating a neurodivergent-friendly workplace doesn’t require a complete overhaul of regular processes. “Just try to make changes now and start having these conversations to create a more pleasant and collaborative place to be,” they said.
Jenine’s Advice
To make the workplace more accessible and inclusive for neurodivergent people, Jenine often recommends that workplaces start with these three steps:
- Build psychological safety – Have it known and experienced that your workplace is a safe space, where employees should feel comfortable speaking up.
- Be curious and have conversations – Examine your biases, be curious, and share lived experiences.
- Be flexible and compassionate – Ask team members what they need to be successful in their roles. This could be as simple as scheduling to accommodate long commutes, or having the option to work remotely so employees can control their environments.
“The current model isn’t designed for us to have wellness or authenticity,” Jenine said. But, offering support and starting conversations can help neurodivergent people feel welcome, included, and connected to their workplaces.
Practical Tips
There are simple things workplaces can implement that will positively impact both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals, including allowing cameras off in online meetings, avoiding back-to-back meetings, and summarizing meetings in follow-up emails.
“We have counterproductive practices around making no time for ourselves or others,” they said. “No one’s going to retain the information when you’re just slammed non-stop.” This is especially the case for those in leadership roles.
For retail stores that want to become more accessible, Jenine recommends being more aware of the sensory experience of the shop as sensory overload is a common issue for neurodivergent individuals. This includes lowering the volume of music, ensuring good airflow, and reducing lighting levels.
Small business owners don’t always have the biggest budget, and these changes can be implemented easily and they cost virtually nothing. Remember, accessibility doesn’t have to be intimidating – small steps can make a big difference.
Rewards and Challenges
Some of Jenine’s biggest challenges have been not being believed and as a result, not being supported. “I get told all the time, ‘You’re too outgoing, you’re too educated, you’re too articulate to be Autistic,'” Jenine said. “No, I’m not. Those are all biases and untruths we need to dismantle.” Jenine is happy and proud to be autistic, and one of their objectives with their business is helping other people feel the same way. “I wouldn’t be me without it, and I love me,” they said.
They’ve also struggled with a lack of professional support, with many organizations requesting their services for free. “I don’t think that would happen if I were male, or if I were offering some other type of consulting that isn’t in the disability and accessibility sphere,” Jenine explained. In response, Jenine lets folks know that they simply can’t do the work for free, “I’m building this business which requires that I be paid for my skills and expertise. Part of the reason I’m doing this work is to have sustainable employment for myself – which is something that Neurodivergent individuals often lack.”
Despite these hurdles, there have been many great parts of running their business. For example, their refusal to participate in social media. “People say that you have to be all over social media now, but I disagree. It doesn’t add anything good to my life and I wouldn’t find a single client that way. I’m showing it’s possible to do business differently,” Jenine said.
With a website and an incredible drive to connect with the community, they’ve built their own version of a social network. “And it’s working because in every conversation I’ve had, people have been telling me ‘You’re on the right track, you’re the right person to be doing this,'” Jenine said. “I didn’t know it would happen this way, but I’m so delighted and grateful for all the referrals and connections.”
Future Plans
“I have great ideas, great vision, and great execution, and yet there’s just one of me and I don’t have tons of revenue,” Jenine explained. By 2025, they want a more robust and interactive online presence. Their main goal is to become profitable so they’ll be able to hire other neurodiverse adults to help them achieve their goals, and Jenine can focus on other aspects of the business.
As a librarian by trade, Jenine aims to offer professionally curated book and resource lists so they’re more easily accessible to folks searching for information and support around neurodiversity and work. Their next big goal is to collect and publish a series of books which are collections of stories from everyday people with different neurodivergent conditions to amplify unheard voices and offer words of encouragement.
For now, look out for Jenine’s presentations, webinars, and in-person workshops lined up for the fall and beyond.
To connect or collaborate with Jenine, email [email protected].
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