Interrupting the beginning of your newsletter with an exciting announcement!
Hope you’ll forgive the slight change in format but we’ve got something awesome for you...
Our brand new Ally NeuroNavigator® programme is coming soon!
It’s the neurodiversity answer to Mental Health First Aider training - built for people who want to be confident, credible allies.
It’s bold. Practical. Full of lived experience. And designed to spark real change in workplaces, not just tick boxes.
6 weeks. A great community. Live and recorded sessions. Lifetime access.
All for £595 plus VAT.
Want early access and priority spaces?
👉 Find out more and join the waitlist here
Why this week matters
It’s October (how did we get here?!) which means it’s packed with opportunities to raise awareness and spark conversations.
This week alone marks Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Awareness Week. But October also includes:
Sensory Processing Awareness Month
ADHD Awareness Month
OCD Awareness Week (next week)
DLD Day (also next week)
With all that going on, it’s a powerful time to start new conversations and challenge old assumptions.
Today I’m talking about:
Info: What dyslexia and dyspraxia actually are (and what they aren’t)
Tips: Small shifts to improve accessibility at work and school
Recommendations: Tools and ideas to support understanding and allyship
What are dyslexia and dyspraxia?
Let’s start by clearing something up:
These aren’t “childhood issues”.
They’re not just about spelling or tripping over things.
And they’re definitely not signs of laziness, carelessness, or lack of intelligence.
Dyslexia affects how the brain processes language. While reading and spelling challenges are often highlighted, it also affects memory, processing speed, sequencing, and focus.
Dyspraxia impacts coordination, planning, and movement. But it also shows up in speech, organisation, spatial awareness, and how someone navigates their day.
Some people experience both.
Both are lifelong.
And both are still widely misunderstood.
Too often, people internalise the message that they’re slow, clumsy, disorganised, or simply "not trying hard enough".
But the problem isn’t the person.
It’s the systems that don’t flex.
Small shifts that make a big difference
Here are five ways to create more inclusive workplaces, schools, and spaces - no diagnosis required:
Prep beats pressure
Swap quickfire thinking for sent-ahead agendas, flexible formats, and optional time to prep before meetings or assessments.Rethink how you share info
Use bullet points, headings, and soft contrast text. Avoid dense paragraphs and long blocks of black-on-white.Design with movement in mind
Offer clear signage, verbal walkthroughs, or extra settling-in time. Navigating new spaces can be overwhelming.Check your assumptions
Neat writing, polished emails, or typo-free documents aren’t indicators of capability. Substance matters more than style.Ask what helps - don’t guess
One-size-fits-all doesn’t work. The best support is tailored, and it starts with asking.
📚 Want to learn more?
A few resources worth checking out this week:
Grab our FREE October toolkit packed full of resources to support you this month, and beyond.
What is dyslexia? Check out our short explainer video on YouTube.
British Dyslexia Association – resources, articles, and guidance for employers and educators
💬 Final thought
Awareness weeks aren’t about performative hashtags or inspirational posters. They’re invitations - to listen, to learn, and to do better.
So let’s start there. Let’s move from awareness to action.
Not because it’s October.
But because inclusion shouldn’t be seasonal.
Speak soon,
Jess
PS Whenever you’re ready, here are some ways I can help:
Join the waitlist for our NeuroNavigator® programme and become a certified Neurodiversity Champion or Ally. Doors open in November for our next cohort (January 2026), waitlist access available a week early.
Want me to speak or run a workshop in your organisation? Head here to book a chat and make a plan.
Book a FREE Discovery call to chat through how I can support your workplace, your school or your family.
PPS Here are three comments that came from a people manager workshop we ran last week… "Thank you all…. best learning for years!” “Thank you! Awesome course” “Very powerful session, thank you so much” |