Listen to the episode Season 5 | Ep 78
On this episode of the Coaching Studio
Elaine Taylor-Klaus, MCC on Neurodiversity and the Coaching Lens
On this episode of The Coaching Studio, Lyssa deHart interviews Elaine Taylor-Klaus, MCC, co-founder of ImpactParents and a pioneering voice in neurodiversity-informed coaching. Drawing on her own experience parenting in what she calls an “ADHD++ family,” Elaine shares how her journey from anxious and overwhelmed mother to Master Certified Coach became the foundation for her life’s work.
Elaine opens up about the profound shift that came with her own adult diagnosis of ADHD and learning differences, describing it as a line of demarcation between who she was before and who she became after. She reflects on the grief of missed opportunities, the relief of understanding her wiring, and the healing power of writing and coaching.
Together, Lyssa and Elaine explore the intersection of neurodiversity and coaching, highlighting why coaching is uniquely suited for supporting “neurospicy” kids and adults. They discuss the pitfalls of advice-giving, the importance of curiosity and agency, and the way parents and professionals alike can foster resilience and independence by guiding rather than prescribing. Elaine also introduces her playful term “neurospicy” as a way to lighten heavy conversations and reframe neurodiverse wiring as difference, not deficit.
The conversation expands into nutrition, brain health, and the role of intention and motivation in managing ADHD, weaving in Elaine’s practical PINCH framework for activating focus. From pottery and hula hooping to flow states and mindfulness, Lyssa and Elaine reflect on the importance of play and presence in creating balance for our nervous systems.
Listeners will come away inspired by Elaine’s vision of a future where coaching skills become a universal toolset for empowering families, educators, and leaders to navigate complexity with hope, humor, and compassion.
Elaine’s books – Go check them out!
Elaine Taylor-Klaus, MCC
Elaine Taylor-Klaus is a globally recognized leader at the intersection of neurodiversity, parenting, and coaching. As co-founder of ImpactParents, she has pioneered the use of a coach-approach to empower families raising “complex kids”—those managing ADHD, anxiety, learning differences, and more.
A parent in what she affectionately calls an ADHD++ family, Elaine transformed her lived experience into a movement that equips parents, educators, and professionals with tools to foster agency, resilience, and connection. She is the author of Parenting ADHD Now! and The Essential Guide to Raising Complex Kids, and co-creator of the award-winning Sanity School® program.
Elaine is also the co-host of the Parenting with Impact podcast, a sought-after speaker and trainer, and a pioneer of the playful yet powerful term neurospicy—a reframe that celebrates neurodiverse wiring as difference, not deficit. Through her work, Elaine inspires hope and equips others to navigate complexity with humor, compassion, and confidence.
About the Host
Lyssa deHart ditched her therapy practice to become a Leadership Confidence Coach. Along the way she discovered a passion for professional coaching and wanted to find ways to share that passion with the world. Come join her in discovering and meeting some of the most amazing professional coaches on the planet. Her goal is to inspire coaches. Lyssa is the author of Sticky Outcomes: at the Intersection of Coaching, Neuroscience, and Lasting Change, StoryJacking: Change Your Dialogue, Transform Your Life, The Reflective Coach - a 12 Month Journal, and Light Up: the Science of Coaching with Metaphors. Lyssa is an ICF MCC Coach, PCC Assessor, Certified Mentor Coach, and Coach SuperVisor. Lyssa uses her understanding of the ICF Core Competencies, combined with her knowledge of Neuroscience, to work with people to become extraordinary professional coaches. Let's Go!
