Neurodiversity Insights with Susan Bartrop
Susan Bartrop discussing her adulthood neurodiversity diagnosis. Her journey from asking for support, receiving the diagnoses, completing her postgraduate degree and now, in pursuing her passion, becoming a coaching psychologist and life coach.
Tell us about your journey of getting diagnosed?
I wasn’t diagnosed till 2017-18 went through undergrad and received a 2.1 onto PG to get a distinction. Continuing to MSc in October.
Did this change how you saw yourself?
Yes, this helped me recognise why I did certain things. Like being impulsive sometimes, and easily distracted. Clumsy, and kept getting lost!! No sense of direction, not knowing left from right, BUT a good tennis and badminton player. Learnt behaviour, you can do it if you want to!
Have you had any bad experiences relating to your neurodiversity? How did you overcome this? Educational Psychologist, Imposter Syndrome in my PGc, and group work all very clever people made me feel inadequate. Stuck with it and accepted it, always looking at the positives. I accept myself and my quirky ways. Maximise on my strengths and try and improve my weaknesses. Don’t beat myself up so much. Realise my worth.
What positive experiences have you had since being diagnosed/ having the neurological difference?
I was a runner up in the category of Alumnus of the Year 2020 (this year) by the University of Bedfordshire, Vice-Chancellors Awards.
What advice would you give to people who think they could have dyslexia/dyspraxia, dyscalculia, or AD(H)D but are worried about getting assessed?
Take full advantage of the help you can get at Uni or work, don’t make excuses that you can’t do it! You can, but it might take you longer than others, but you will get there. I never wanted a label, even though I could have done better if I had admitted to myself sooner, that I did have something wrong with my learning. It is really up to the individual. Reflecting back, it has made me a better person more determined and resilient, but it has been hard. All of this will depend on the individual and their personality.
Did you ever question your intelligence?
Frequently! I had to read a lot and take a different perspective, my understanding came from Robert Sternberg’s theory of intelligence. He states there are three levels of intelligence, Analytical, Creative and Practical. It’s not all about being academic!! I had to understand myself better and then work to my strengths, taking a good look at myself.
How did this label of being neurodiversity affect your job search?
This never hindered me at all. I was always employed for my ability and skills. Hairdressing, therapist, teacher, Health worker, Children’s specialist, Assessor, Administrator, Internal Verifier. Working for the University for many years at registration and graduations and lastly 3 years in the student experience office as NSS Project Officer.
Tell me about the work you do, has your neurodiversity condition influenced this through your career?
No, I have had many diverse employments. I am now a coaching psychologist and life coach, pursuing my passion.
Do you have any tips for managing your neurodiversity in an interview?
I research the post and company well and prepare myself arriving about 15 minutes before so I am calm and not in a rush. I am myself in the interview, as who else can I be? I answer the questions as honestly as I can. Asking questions if I don’t understand.
Do you disclose your neurodiversity condition in the interview? Tell us about your experience.
As I wasn’t assessed until 2016 I never did. It never really became important, either. When I was asked to return to my previous post for the last year I had told my manager that I had a diagnosis from an Educational Psychologist and I put this on my application form. When I applied for the post in the first instance, I completely blanked and couldn’t do the practical test on the computer. I still was offered the position!!!
Any experiences/ advice of disclosing your neurodiversity to a line manager in previous roles?
By being honest, but again I hadn’t been for years as I was unaware I was!!! It is really how you feel yourself. I was afraid of being seen as not as bright as others and was ashamed to admit this to myself.
What do you think is the best way to disclose that you have a neurodiversity condition; do you have any practical tips?
Generally, through the application form. Depends what the work is and how you feel about it. I suggest a word with your future employer as you might need their support and understanding in the future.
How do you manage these conditions in the workplace?
A good manager that understands me and allows me to work to my strengths. I have learnt to communicate and discuss problems, and I am not afraid to ask for help.
What talents does your neurodiversity bring to your working relationships?
I can problem solve, as I think outside the box. I am empathetic and always consider others and their viewpoint. I listen to others and can accept constructive criticism. I am creative and a good team player. Generally bringing understanding and calm into my working environment to help others whenever I can.
What coping strategies have you developed?
When given instructions if I don’t understand I will ask again for this to be repeated. My manager last year wrote me post-it notes, to help me. She also would show me how to work excel spreadsheets as I am a visual learner. Identify your own learning style are you; Visual, Audio or a Kinaesthetic learner.
Any advice for people considering further education and questioning their job search?
Just go for it! Don’t attempt anything that is too beyond you that will make you stressed, trust your gut feeling, be yourself, you can’t be anyone else. Be open to all possibilities, keep an open mind. Understand yourself better. Admit it will take longer for you to do things for example like assessments, be kind to yourself. Do not compare yourself to others!
Susan Bartrop
If you would like to reach out to Susan, please go to: https://www.susanbartrop-coaching.com/