Support, advocacy & coaching for all.
Ethos - “A place of safety or refuge — somewhere you feel safe, protected, or at peace.”
About Me
I am a qualified specialist neurodivergent coach and a later-in-life diagnosed neurodivergent adult. As a mum to four neurodivergent children and young adults, my personal and professional worlds have been shaped by lived experience, resilience, and deep understanding.
For over 20 years, I have fought my way through the SEN legal system—advocating, challenging, and navigating structures that are often built for failure. That journey, driven by determination and tenacity, led me to become an advisor, advocate, and proud member of the Sendiass Advisory Panel & Independent Parental Support / mediator for 8+ years.
My expertise spans the full neurodivergent spectrum, with a particular specialism in Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Having spent many years advocating personally and professionally for PDA profiles, I bring both knowledge and empathy to every family and individual I support.
As a coach, my mission is to walk alongside you—supporting you as you explore, understand, and embrace your authentic neurodivergent self. Whether you’re seeking clarity, guidance, or a compassionate partner in your journey, I’m here to help.
I offer both individual coaching and group coaching sessions, tailored to your needs and preferences.
Discovery calls are available so we can connect and explore the support that’s right for you.
A 1 × 5-minute free introductory call is available for coaching enquiries.
You might like to use this time to ask any questions, learn a little about my coaching approach, and explore whether working together feels like the right fit for you.
There is no expectation or obligation to continue after the call. You are welcome to decide what feels right for you, at your own pace.
For all enquiries, please email: Nicolamharding@outlook.com
My Personal Assistant also responds to enquiries and will be happy to assist.
Thank you for your interest.
Professional Statement
As a Specialist Neurodivergent Coach who has supported thousands of families, in my role as a SENDIAS Advisory Panel Member, and most importantly as a neurodivergent parent of neurodivergent children, I am unable, when contacted, to comment on individual children, parents, carers, or families.
My role is not to make judgments or provide opinions about personal circumstances. Instead, my vision is to walk alongside you on a journey of understanding — learning about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and exploring compassionate, practical ways to support PDA and neurodivergent individuals.
Through greater understanding, nervous system awareness, and supportive approaches that honour autonomy and safety, we can help increase capacity within the nervous system and limbic system, creating the conditions that better support the PDA individual.
My focus is always on education, understanding, advocacy, and walking with families in a supportive and respectful way.
Testimonials
I had the pleasure of being coached by Nicola. From the minute we first spoke I felt an instant rapport.
CH
Nicola made me feel so comfortable and seen and her knowledge around neurodiversity is vast. She is kind and so very helpful, with great suggestions on coping strategies, sending me helpful links and useful info in her own time.
She helped me to identify questions that needed to be asked around certain appointments I had coming up that I felt nervous about, even writing it all down in bullet points and emailing them over.
She has a lovely approachable energy that makes you feel comfortable and understood. I would highly recommend Nicola as a coach and look forward to working with her in the future.
I have had the privilege of working closely with Nicola in supporting her children, and it is clear that she is an exceptional advocate for them.
MP
She has a deep understanding of neurodivergence and approaches situations with compassion, empathy, and an eagerness to learn. Nicola is very attuned to her children's needs and is proactive in finding ways to help them thrive, she is always open to exploring new strategies and sharing her own insights.
From a professional perspective, Nicola is a joy to liaise with. She communicates with warmth and clarity, which creates a genuine sense of partnership and trust.
Her openness and honesty allows for deeper, more meaningful conversations, and her reflective nature ensures that support is always tailored, thoughtful, and child-centred.
Nicola brings such warmth, dedication, and authenticity to all that she does. It is a privilege to work alongside her, and I have no doubt she will bring the same compassion, insight, and energy to her work in coaching.
I have had the privilege of working with Nicola, and I can confidently say that her experience as both a mother of autistic and PDA children and as a coach is invaluable.
VM
Her deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by neurodiverse families is evident in every interaction. She combines her personal experience with a wealth of knowledge, providing a compassionate and insightful approach to coaching.
What truly sets Nicola apart is her ability to empathize with the struggles that parents and caregivers of neurodiverse children often face. Her own journey has given her a unique perspective, and she uses this to offer practical strategies, emotional support, and a non-judgmental space for families to thrive. She's not just knowledgeable - she's lived it.
I highly recommend Nicola to anyone seeking guidance or support in their parenting journey. She brings a level of understanding and care that is rare, and I am confident she will make a positive, lasting impact on every family she works with.
Her coaching style is both supportive and empowering. She creates a warm, trusting environment where families can feel safe to explore challenges and discover solutions that are tailored to their unique needs.
Nicola is approachable, thoughtful, and above all, patient, which makes her coaching a powerful resource for any family navigating the complexities of raising autistic or PDA children.
Get in Touch
@thepdaneurodivergentsanctuary
Nicolamharding@outlook.com