“During the course, I thought: this is it. This is what I want to do.”
Sometimes you enrol in a course because you want to know more. Sometimes because you are looking for answers. For Coby, the Postgraduate AutismCentralMethodology began as a personal quest. She wanted to understand autism better, but also discovered a new professional direction along the way.
Today she guides women with autism and ADHD in her own practice. A choice she says: “I have not regretted it for a moment.”
In search of a different perspective
After her diagnosis, Coby began to delve into autism. She found quite a few courses, but often missed an important step.
“What you often see is that you walk in there and they immediately say: ‘What is your problem?’ Then they start thinking very problem-solving and immediately jump to tools and also to strategies to help that person.”
That way of working did not appeal to her. She was looking for a course that first starts from understanding the person behind the diagnosis.
“That was my personal experience and I thought: those steps are good. So that’s why I decided to enrol.”here with writing...
An opportunity that made a difference
Yet Coby doubted whether she met the admission requirements. She is trained as a piano teacher and had no background in psychology or social sciences.
Instead of giving up on her plans, she sent an email to Autism Central explaining her motivation.
“I really want to do this. But I don’t have the necessary qualifications, because I am very motivated as I have personally had that diagnosis.”
Autism Central looked beyond just her diploma.
“Then they gave me the chance to follow the training. And I am still very grateful for that, because this training has ensured that I have taken a very different path myself.”
Learning in a safe environment
What Coby particularly remembers is the atmosphere during the postgraduate course.
“A lot of space was given to each other. And there was very non-judgmental listening and looking.”
She describes herself as someone who likes to ask critical questions. That’s why she found it special that there was really room for that.
“I am quite the person with the difficult questions. And space was also made for that. And I find that nice.”
Moreover, it was not just about theory. The training combined contact days, online lessons, supervision, practical assignments, and an experience day where participants develop a workshop for people with autism.
“You’re not just sitting on your backside… and listening to the info.”
For her, it was that active approach that made the difference.
“This is it. This is what I want to do.”
During the training, the realisation slowly grew that she saw her professional future differently than before.
“During the course, I thought: this is it. This is what I want to do.”
She noticed that women with a late diagnosis of autism or ADHD often find it difficult to get specialised support.
“I also noticed that women with a late diagnosis are often left to their own devices.”
That insight led her to start her own practice.
“On 1 September, I opened Huis van Anders and everyone is welcome from the age of 16 if you are a woman with a diagnosis of ADHD or autism or both like me.”
It was a big step, but one that felt right.
“I have taken a very different path… I have not regretted it for a moment.”
More than just a qualification
When Coby looks back today, she thinks not only of the knowledge she has gained. She also thinks of the direction her life has taken.
The postgraduate course gave her the opportunity to connect her personal experiences with a solid substantive framework. Not only to better understand autism, but also to better support others.
And perhaps one statement sums up her story best:
“This training has ensured that I have taken a very different path myself.”
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