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You will find our most frequently asked questions below. If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, please get in touch.

What is autism?

Autism is not an intellectual, learning, or mental health disability - though it may co-occur with any of these. It is a complex developmental condition that affects an individual’s social, sensory, and communication experience, and it can show up differently in men and in women,. Autism is a “spectrum” with differing challenges and strengths, and the specific nuances of navigating the world as an autistic individual are different for everyone.
 
Some common experiences of autistic individuals include:

  • Having difficulty with social communication, including engaging in informal conversation such as small talk.

  • Having difficulty understanding and appropriately using non verbal communication such as body language, gestures and eye contact.

  • Experiencing challenges developing and maintaining relationships.

  • Having some type of repetitive movements

  • Needing routine and consistency in behaviours,, routines, dressing, foods

  • Having an appreciation of and a focus on specific interests

  • Being sensitive to sound, sounds, lights and other sensory input

 
The strengths of autistic individuals can often be seen in:

  • Intelligence

  • Curiosity

  • Natural expertise and talents in certain areas

  • Great attention to detail

  • He ability to focus deeply

  • A high ability to absorb and retain facts

  • Ability to take novel approaches and think outside the box

  • Tenacity and resilience

  • Accepting of difference

  • High level of integrity

What are the characteristics of autism in women?

Autistic women often live undiagnosed, as the diagnostic criteria was created mainly around the characteristics that autistic males display. Autistic females often don’t fit these male-based stereotypes of autism.
 
While every autistic woman is wonderfully unique, many share certain experiences.
 
Some common experiences of autistic women include:

  • Knowing you feel different from your peers

  • Preferring to have only one or two friends, or to be alone

  • Finding it difficult to understand what others are thinking and feeling

  • Getting very anxious about social situations

  • Finding it hard to say how you feel

  • Having an appreciation of and a focus on specific interests

  • Having an aversion to trends and fashion

  • Being sensitive to textures, sounds, lights and other sensory input

  • Working very hard to ‘camouflage’ your social anxiety through forced eye contact, imitation, or staying on the fringes of social activity

  • Releasing bottled up emotions once home in the form of meltdowns

 
The strengths of autistic women can often be seen in:

  • Intelligence

  • Curiosity

  • Natural expertise and talents in certain areas

  • Great attention to detail

  • He ability to focus deeply

  • A high ability to absorb and retain facts

  • Ability to take novel approaches and think outside the box

  • Tenacity and resilience

  • Accepting of difference

  • High level of integrity

What are characteristics of ADHD in women?

Women with ADHD often live undiagnosed. Although women are just as likely as men to have ADHD, there persists a belief that it is something that primarily affects males. In addition, girls learn from a very early age how to fit in and please those around them, covering up many of the ADHD symptoms, but leaving them emotionally exhausted.

 

For women, ADHD is often (but certainly not always) the inattentive type, making it difficult to focus on tasks and conversations, pay attention to details, be organized, and remember things.

 

While every woman with ADHD is wonderfully unique, many share certain experiences.

 

Some common experiences of women with ADHD include:

  • Having difficulty focusing on certain things but can hyperfocus on areas of interest

  • Disorganisation (clutter in your office, home, car, or handbag; unpaid bills, messiness; missing appointments, running late; inability to complete paperwork etc)

  • Forgetfulness

  • Indecision

  • Problems listening

  • Overspending – often to make up for other problems (such as buying an expensive present to make up for forgetting a friend’s birthday.)

  • Difficulty with relationships and social life

  • Difficulty relaxing

 

The strengths of ADHD in women can include: 

  •  Spontaneity

  •  Being able to think quickly on their feet

  •  Creativity, originality

  •  Being able to see the big picture

  •  Being able to connect the dots quickly

  •  Problem solving

  •  Willingness to take risks

  •  Engaging conversation skills

  •  Compassion and empathy

What are the characteristics of Adult Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning difference rather than a disability. Dyslexia individuals are often of average to above average intelligence and can learn effectively, given the right approach.

Dyslexia can be seen as a range of distinctive strengths and gifts, alongside a cluster of challenges.

Every dyslexic adult will experience their dyslexia uniquely, however many share certain experiences. It can be helpful to remember that the symptoms of dyslexia can vary, not only from person to person, but can vary within each person from day to day. As Ron Davis says, "The most consistent thing about dyslexics is their inconsistency.”

Some common experiences of adults with dyslexia include:

  • Frequently having to re-read text in order to comprehend.

  • Difficulty reading unfamiliar fonts.

  • Relying on others for written correspondence.

  • Having poor handwriting (Often to cover up spelling mistakes).

  • Fatiguing quickly when reading.

  • Becoming frustrated at planning meetings and sequential tasks - already has the answer and how to do it.

  • Thriving in careers where visual-spatial/kinesthetic talents can be realised (eg. entrepreneurs, engineers, artists, architects etc).

  • Being an out of the box thinker.

  • Having difficulty focusing and staying on task.

  • Being highly intuitive.


A full list of characteristics of adult dyslexia can be found at dyslexia.com.

What makes your coaching programmes different?

All of the coaching programmes (and workshops) on offer by Incandescent have been created by a neurodivergent individual for neurodivergent individuals, with the main goal of enabling them to participate fully in learning and life, their way, using their strengths.
 
The philosophy behind these programmes is of the utmost respect for what each individual brings to the world. We do not aim to remove their beautiful neurodivergence, rather the aim is to remove the barriers that they are experiencing in living life to the fullest.

How long do your coaching programmes take?

Each programme takes as long as it needs to take for the individual to benefit the most from it. We work at each individual’s pace, according to their needs. All programmes do have approximate timeframes, however, that can be used as a guide.

Davis Autism Approach®:  Approximately 60-120 hours
Davis Concepts for Lifeâ„ : Approximately 60 hours
Davis™ Attention Mastery: Approximately 35 hours
Davis Dyslexia Correction®: Approximately 30 hours

The maximum session length for any given day is 6 hours.

How are the coaching programmes delivered?

Individual coaching programmes can be delivered effectively in-person or online. Most people prefer to attend a coaching programme in person where possible, for a more connected experience.

Each programme has its own standards in the way it is best delivered.

Davis Autism Approach®

Ideally the first 30 hours of of this programme is delivered in an intensive format, in order to:

  • Equip you with the self-regulation tools to start effectively managing your focus, stress and energy levels,

  • Begin mastering the first set of fundamental concepts necessary for effective functioning in the world (including the concepts of cause and effect, time, sequence, and order/disorder)


The remainder of the programme can be delivered in a flexible manner, according to your needs and schedule. You can book day, half day or hourly sessions.


A support person is coached throughout the programme if needed in order to support your learning.

To find out more about this programme, book a discovery call.


Davis Concepts for Lifeâ„ 
In many cases, this programme is delivered in an intensive format of 2 week-long blocks, however after the first intensive week, the remainder of the programme can be delivered in a flexible manner, according to your needs and schedule, in day, half day, or hourly sessions as needed.

To find out more about this programme, book a discovery call.


Davis™ Attention Mastery Programme

The Davis Attention mastery programme is delivered over 5-6 consecutive days.

To find out more about this programme, book a discovery call.

Davis Dyslexia Correction® Programme:
The Davis Dyslexia Correction programme is delivered over 5 consecutive days

To find out more about this programme, book a discovery call.

What is the difference between the individual coaching programmes and the group workshops?

With an individual coaching programme, the facilitator tailors the programme to your goals, needs, interests and pace. You receive one on one facilitation throughout the programme, with the facilitator also training a support person to support you if appropriate.

Coaching programmes are the most effective option if:
 

  • You want the most effective outcome for yourself.

  • You need to be able to work in a quiet, safe space at your own pace.
     


Group Workshops take place within a set timeframe and are delivered to a group.  Although the presenter is skilled at ensuring certainty for all participants as they progress through the workshop, there is not the same level of individualised attention than you would receive in a coaching programme.

Workshops are the best solution if:

  • You wish to do some self development work and are on a budget.

  • You are wishing to support someone else (such as a loved one, student or client)  by learning how to take them through a Davis programme in a home, school or therapy setting.

 

​How long do your group workshops take?

The Davis Life Concepts for Autism workshop and the Davis Concepts for Life workshop are 40 hours, and run generally over 5 days of 8 hours per day (including breaks). Depending on timezones, however, these workshops can be run over more sessions of fewer hours.  

 

How are the group workshops delivered?

Workshops take place within a set timeframe and are delivered to a group of up to 10 individuals.  

 

Currently, all workshops are being delivered online, using Zoom. This reduces the cost and time commitment to workshop participants. Each workshop participant receives a workshop kit in the post prior to the workshop starting, containing all of the resources they need to complete the workshop.

 

Do the programmes help with anxiety?

Qualitative results from many clients clearly show a reduction in anxiety for them.

 

An independent clinical research study by Dr. Jacinta Ryan in Melbourne, Australia, showed not only statistically significant results that the Davis programmes help reduce anxiety, but clinically significant results for clients who took part in the research. This means that the results were not just great on paper, they were actually felt, experienced, and rejoiced by research participants and their families. Dr Jacinta Ryan’s research data has been peer reviewed and presented at the 2022 APS College of Clinical Psychologists Conference. The findings will be available on ResearchGate in 2023.

 

What are the expected outcomes of a coaching programme?

According to both independent clinical research and in-house research, most clients will experience improvement in:
 

  • Sensory regulation

  • Self Concept

  • Anxiety

  • Social Anxiety

  • Quality of Life

  • Stress management

  • Positive management of relationships

  • Reduced rigidity and fear of change

  • Executive functioning, including organisation and time management

Is there an evidence base?

An independent clinical research study by Dr. Jacinta Ryan in Melbourne, Australia, showed not only statistically significant results that the Davis Autism Approach and Concepts for Life programmes help in many key areas, but clinically significant results for clients who took part in the research. This means that the results were not just great on paper, they were actually felt, experienced, and rejoiced by research participants and their families.

The main areas that produced statistically and clinically significant results are:

  • Sensory regulation

  • Self Concept

  • Anxiety

  • Social Anxiety

  • Quality of Life


Dr Jacinta Ryan’s research data has been peer reviewed and presented at the 2022 APS College of Clinical Psychologists Conference. The research findings will be available on ResearchGate in 2023.

The Ron Davis Autism Foundation has also been conducting research on the effectiveness of the Davis Autism Approach and Concepts for Life programmes, in order to deliver the most effective programmes possible. This research has shown that, regardless of age, ability or nationality, clients have:

  • improved their ability to self -regulate their levels of anxiety and stress

  • become more aware of others and can manage their relationships more effectively

  • reduced their fear and resistance to change

  • increased their flexibility

  • developed other executive functioning skills such as planning and time management

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