Session Description: Neurodivergent clients—particularly those with ADHD and combined ADHD/autism profiles (AuDHD)—often bring creativity, intensity, humor, and nonlinear thinking to coaching. They may also experience rejection sensitivity, black-and-white thinking, catastrophizing, or shame-based self-talk. When used intentionally, humor can become a powerful intervention that enhances emotional regulation, flexibility, and trust. When misused, it can unintentionally invalidate or harm. This interactive Learning Lab explores how coaches can ethically and skillfully integrate affiliative and self-enhancing humor into neurodiversity-informed coaching. Drawing on research in positive psychology, emotion regulation, and humor science (Fredrickson; Martin & Ford; Samson; Berger et al.), participants will learn when humor supports growth—and when it is contraindicated. Through live demonstrations, small-group practice, and case-based discussion, we will explore: Recognizing when humor helps interrupt cognitive rigidity or shame spirals Adapting humor for clients with ADHD versus AuDHD Avoiding sarcasm, ambiguity, or humor that triggers rejection sensitivity Using exaggeration, metaphor, and playful reframing to co-create insight Developing awareness of which modalities (visual, kinesthetic, aural, verbal) communicate well with the client’s sense of humor or playfulness Maintaining ICF Core Competencies while introducing levity Participants will leave with a practical “Humor with Care” decision framework and immediately applicable tools to increase psychological safety, flexibility, and strength-based awareness in their coaching. Because in neurodivergent coaching, humor is not about minimizing difference—it’s about partnering with it.
Learning Objectives::
Upon completion, participants will be able to differentiate when humor supports versus undermines psychological safety in coaching neurodivergent clients.
Upon completion, participants will be able to demonstrate two humor-based reframing techniques appropriate for ADHD and AuDHD coaching scenarios.
Upon completion, participants will be able to apply a decision-making framework to ethically integrate humor while maintaining ICF Core Competencies.
