An Inside Job: Internalised Ableism and Long Term Capacity Management
Tracks
Marquis - In-Person Only
| Monday, September 28, 2026 |
| 11:25 AM - 11:55 AM |
| Marquis Room |
Overview
Meghann Birks, Meghann Birks Coaching
Key Learnings
1. Identify internalised ableism: recognise how absorbed beliefs about disability create shame, prevent seeking help, and contribute to burnout in neurodivergent individuals, particularly those labelled high performing of gifted.
2. Understand the paradox of success: learn why your/ your clients achievements don't negate struggles and how masking creates exhaustion that's often invisible to others, making support crucial.
3. Implement supportive strategies: develop concrete practices for challenging ableist beliefs (internally and externally), establishing boundaries, honouring needs, and fostering authentic self-acceptance for neurodivergent individuals.
Speaker
Meghann Birks
Founder
Meghann Birks Coaching
An Inside Job: Internalised Ableism And Long Term Capacity Management
Presentation Overview
Many high-performing neurodivergent individuals experience a a constant paradox. From the outside they appear successful, yet they feel constantly exhausted, inadequate, or like they're not reaching their potential.
This presentation explores internalised ableism; the unconscious absorption of negative societal messages about disability that leads people to hide their needs, dismiss their struggles, and frequently overextend their capacity.
Based on lived experience (AuDHD/2e) and professional expertise, this session is designed for neurodivergent individuals and professionals who support them.
It addresses why high-functioning labels often mask significant struggles, creating isolation and preventing people from seeking and utilising necessary accommodations and support.
Participants will learn to spot internalised ableism, understand its potential origins, and develop practical strategies for challenging these beliefs. The presentation examines the hidden costs of appearing "capable": constant masking, burnout cycles, shame around needing help, and the exhausting work of compensating for executive dysfunction.
For neurodivergent attendees, this session offers validation, self-compassion frameworks, and permission to honour their needs without earning them through achievement.
For professionals, it provides insight into the unique challenges their neurodivergent clients or colleagues face and how to create truly supportive, neuroaffirming environments.
Moving beyond toxic positivity and superpower narratives, this presentation offers honest, practical guidance for building sustainable relationship with neurodivergence through relationships based on acceptance rather than constant self-improvement.
Please note: I am open to exploring this as a longer presentation or workshop. It's extremely adaptable.
This presentation explores internalised ableism; the unconscious absorption of negative societal messages about disability that leads people to hide their needs, dismiss their struggles, and frequently overextend their capacity.
Based on lived experience (AuDHD/2e) and professional expertise, this session is designed for neurodivergent individuals and professionals who support them.
It addresses why high-functioning labels often mask significant struggles, creating isolation and preventing people from seeking and utilising necessary accommodations and support.
Participants will learn to spot internalised ableism, understand its potential origins, and develop practical strategies for challenging these beliefs. The presentation examines the hidden costs of appearing "capable": constant masking, burnout cycles, shame around needing help, and the exhausting work of compensating for executive dysfunction.
For neurodivergent attendees, this session offers validation, self-compassion frameworks, and permission to honour their needs without earning them through achievement.
For professionals, it provides insight into the unique challenges their neurodivergent clients or colleagues face and how to create truly supportive, neuroaffirming environments.
Moving beyond toxic positivity and superpower narratives, this presentation offers honest, practical guidance for building sustainable relationship with neurodivergence through relationships based on acceptance rather than constant self-improvement.
Please note: I am open to exploring this as a longer presentation or workshop. It's extremely adaptable.
Biography
Meghann Birks is a Certified Professional Coach (ICF Accredited), Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist and trauma-informed Embodiment Educator with nearly 20 years of experience. As an AuDHD woman, she works through a neuroaffirming lens, helping high-achieving neurodivergent professionals understand how internalised ableism contributes to burnout, shame, and the constant feeling of "not reaching their potential." She partners with individuals and organisations to increase employee wellness and create opportunities for values-based, impact-driven growth and innovation while making the hard things easier and the good things great.
