#164 Unlocking Neurodiversity & Career Planning Success with Rebecca Whittaker Matte

Flourish Coaching

Mar 4, 2025

In this episode, Lisa and Rebecca discuss:

Shifting from a deficit-based to a strengths-based model for career development for neurodiverse students
The importance of self-awareness in career planning and decision-making
How experiential learning enhances career exploration and job fit for all students
Challenges and strategies for neurodiverse students pursuing STEM careers

Key Takeaways:

Traditional education focuses on the deficits of neurodiverse students, but they thrive by recognizing strengths through tools like Myers-Briggs, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, CliftonStrengths, and the Birkman Assessment that both Rebecca Matte and Lisa use.
The Birkman Assessment identifies both behavior and workplace needs, helping students find roles where they thrive and avoid poor job fits.
As seen in Landmark College’s NSF grant program, experiential learning and mentorship guide students through outreach, projects, and internships to explore careers before committing. This approach can benefit all students.
Interdependence is crucial for neurodiverse professionals, as recognizing strengths and weaknesses helps them find complementary partners for better teamwork and career satisfaction.

“If you know yourself, you can find your compatible work partners and more readily identify and name the traits of someone with whom you might work.” – Rebecca Whittaker Matte

About Rebecca Whittaker Matte:

Rebecca Whittaker Matte, M.S., is an Associate Professor of Education at Landmark College in Putney, Vermont, with nearly 30 years of experience in neurodiversity and learning disabilities. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of New Hampshire and an M.S. in Human Service Administration from New England College. A certified consultant for the Birkman Method and Gallup CliftonStrengths, as well as an ICF Certified Coach, she is a long-standing advocate of strengths-based approaches. As a co-principal investigator on the National Science Foundation’s Access to Innovative Education in STEM grant, she develops programming and mentorship to support low-income, neurodivergent students while also caring for her ill-mannered rescue dog and staying active as she ages.

Episode References:

Episode #043 College Major Identification with the Birkman Method: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/podcast/043-college-major-identification-with-the-birkman-method/

Get Lisa’s Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career…(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret).

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