Audir

28/06/2024

It's a big day for me today!

After nearly a decade running my consultancy, which began as LimespringHR and evolved into Audir, it's time now to close the doors.

I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to run my own business in a way that allowed me to best support myself and my neurodivergent family.

My ADHD-self has cherished the chance to be invited into fascinating businesses, work with diverse teams and to coach some truly remarkable people.

I am excited to return to the corporate world to pursue a new opportunity, bringing together my experiences of the last ten years and focusing on my passion for Diversity and Inclusion (Disability).

I'm looking forward to seeing how the corporate world has changed over the past 10 years, and showing up as my true self (no masks). Wish me luck!!!

02/04/2024

Today is World Autism Awareness day - the perfect day to remind those in my community, Autistic friends, and carers of loved ones who are autistic:

The government is seeking feedback on the (draft) National Autism Strategy. Please take the time to have a say - things need to change to provide better health, social and economic outcomes for our community.

Developing the National Autism Strategy Open Closes in 59 days We want your feedback on the draft National Autism Strategy. This is a draft Strategy which has not yet been agreed by Government. Following feedback through the public consultation process the draft Strategy will be further refined and....

18/03/2024

Wanting to change the world (with limited spoons)...

17/10/2023

As always, Dr Neff hits the nail on the head with this!

Rejection Sensitivity can be debilitating and was something that impacted me hugely as a teenager and when first in the workplace - it still raises its head on occasion but thankfully I have the tools I need these days to move through it.

This is worth a read for those who love or support neurodivergent teens and young adults.

04/10/2023

This really was an event to remember!

01/10/2023

This is a great explanation of why ABA and other reward-based therapies can cause harm.

30/09/2023

The final report of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has been released.

In it there are hundreds of pages of first person accounts of abuses that have occurred.

I started to read these accounts but I couldn’t continue. These are heartbreaking, illegal, cruel. In those that I read, every person is Autistic.

In a progressive country there are “professionals”, supported by NDIS funds, who are not in this industry for the best interests of their clients. Instead they are perpetuating fear and trauma.

It’s using power and control over those whose voices are not often heard and it must stop.

For those using services to support their Autistic loved ones, please, ask questions. Learn about ABA and Behaviourism and please run in the other direction if a therapist uses them.

There are other, more effective therapies that do not seek to make an autistic child compliant or “normal”.

Ensure your support workers understand and can explain the social model of disability to you. Listen to the words they use- this will quickly tell you if they will respect, appreciate and provide choice and control for your loved one.

Hoping with everything that the report’s recommendations are upheld and those businesses and people who shouldn’t be in this space are removed.

Until then, our voices and actions are still needed.

30/09/2023

Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Nicci Richman is the owner of Audir, a local business which helps workplaces and individuals better understand neurodiversity. Nicci joins the Inner Power workshop to share her story and experiences working in this space. Come watch, listen and participate as we champion Joan of Arc's legacy of not being defined by how others define you.

Sunday 1st October is the final day of the VOICES OF JOAN show and we invite everyone to first come to the show and then join us afterwards for our Inner Power workshop. This workshop is free but space is limited, so please book for the show and reserve your workshop spot via the New Annual website. Come to hear Nicci speak as we ask... Where is the spirit of Joan alive in Newcastle right now? Where does it live in us? And what potential can we harness from celebrating our own diverse powers together?

https://www.newannual.com/explore/events/voices-of-joan

21/07/2023

I’m proud to be part of this important project!

Inclusion moves us beyond access, beyond universal design. Inclusion — the act of including everyone — is a deeper shift towards welcoming and valuing people exactly as they are. It means embracing and celebrating the diversity of experience within your teams and your customer base. It means encouraging people to bring their “whole self” to their communities and workplaces, accepted and welcomed for their depth and breadth of knowledge.

15/07/2023

Tears for the talent shown, for the song choice, and appreciation for a person showing up in the world, just as they are.

26/06/2023

Tears watching this. Perhaps our world is shifting- won’t it be beautiful to see more of this kind of compassion and support for those who are struggling- where individuals are carried by those who are starting to understand.