Spotlight on: Annie Hitchman

As part of our Neurodiversity Celebration Week we’re shining a spotlight on the diverse voices within our community. Hear from different voices as they share their proudest moments, exchange tips and tricks for the workplace and discuss their strengths and challenges!

Introducing…

Hi I’m Annie Hitchman

Neurodivergent Women’s Mindset coach

I am a woman

Spotlight on Annie Hitchman - Annie is a woman with long red hair sitting smiling at the camera, she wears a black jacket. Annie has a cup of coffee in her hand and a pink laptop in front of her

Do you have a ‘lightbulb moment’ when everything made sense?

My lightbulb moment came when I understood the effect having late diagnoses as a dyslexia child had on my mental health as an adult. I was then able to self soothe and overcome the challenges of anxiety, low self esteem and lack of belief instead of further putting myself down as being ‘moody’ or ‘ungrateful’.

What are your strengths and challenges?

My strengths are communication, connecting deeply and being courageous.

I love standing for something and helping other people to feel empowered which I know has come about through turning my dyslexia adversities into assets.

My challenges are taking too much on than I can handle. I have to be very careful with what I think I can get done in a week and what I actually can get done. Working through the guilt and frustration of not being able to do everything is a huge one for dyslexic people but a game changer.

What are your top tips or tricks for the workplace?

Top tip for the workplace has to be communicating with your team and manager about what dyslexia actually is, or what it means to you.

Every person will have a different relationship with their dyslexia. I spent a lot of time hiding away because I didn’t want people to judge me, but actually by law we need to be supported and the more we speak about our needs, the more it will feel normal to validate them.

Keep on file all of the correspondence you have especially if you don’t feel they have been helpful and work closely with your HR department to make sure you get the most support possible. You shouldn’t have to know how to help yourself, it should be coming from the top down.

Your proudest moment

My proudest moment has to be every time I help a dyslexic woman love their dyslexia. This is because I once felt like them, lost, confused, embarrassed and shameful. Once I understood my dyslexia more and learnt methods to develop better confidence about myself it changed how I saw myself and what I knew I could achieve. The feeling when my clients feel the same is what I live for.

Dyslexic Mindset Coach

Connect with Annie on LinkedIn

The Dyslexic Mindset Coach

Annie Hitchman is a transformative force for dyslexic adults, addressing the emotional challenges that dyslexia presents. With a focus on the lasting impact of early struggles, she guides clients to confront and overcome limiting beliefs, fostering a growth mindset. Annie empowers clients aged 20 to 60 to navigate anxiety, overwhelm, and low self-esteem, helping them unlock their most confident selves. By unveiling strengths within dyslexia, she paves the way for a profound shift from self-doubt to self-discovery, ultimately shaping a more resilient and empowered future for those she serves.

Tags:

Dyslexia Blogs & Articles