Career coach Fay Wallis is joined by HR Consultant Devon Lovell, who shares his personal experience of being diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome. Devon talks through his journey to diagnosis, the strengths and struggles his neurodiversity brings and gives advice to anyone who thinks they may be neurodiverse, or who wants to support their neurodiverse colleagues.

Key Points From This Episode

[00:03] Fay thanks a listener for sharing an episode on LinkedIn during the week: Episode 67: How to get on top of email overwhelm when you’re in a busy HR role

[00:48] This is the fourth episode of HR Coffee Time that focuses on neurodiversity. The first three are:

• Episode 24: Understanding & supporting neurodiversity at work, with Melanie Francis
• Episode 59: ADHD– a personal story of the strengths, struggles & strategies that help, with Julie White
• Episode 68: Real life insights into understanding & supporting autism in the workplace, with Cybill Watkins

[03:18] An introduction to Devon

[03:39] Devon shares his journey of getting a Tourette Syndrome diagnosis

[06:04] There’s an 85% chance you will also receive a diagnosis for OCD or ASD if you have Tourette Syndrome

[08:31] There doesn’t seem to be the same level of awareness and information available about Tourette Syndrome as other neurodiverse conditions

[10:31] Devon explains the different ways that Tourette’s can manifest

[12:13] Devon shares his strengths his neurodiversity brings, including resilience, being observant, hyper-focused and good at planning ahead

[16:05] The emotional and physical struggles that Tourette Syndrome brings for Devon

[19:01] Struggles and strategies that help at work

[21:28] Devon explains the many ways his employer has been supportive

[24:58] Devon’s advice to anyone working in HR who is wondering if they are neurodiverse

[25:58] Devon’s advice to anyone working in HR who wants to be supporting anyone in the workplace who is neurodiverse

[31:09] Devon shares his book recommendation: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

(Disclosure: this book link is an affiliate link which means Fay will earn a small commission from Amazon if you choose to purchase the book using it)

Useful Links

• Tourette’s Action
• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• The Bright Sky Career Coaching website
• Video: how to rate & review HR Coffee Time on Apple Podcasts
• The Essential HR Planner

 

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