Hello, I'm Sira

Through personal experience, I have dealt intensively with the topics of neurodiversity and neurodivergence in recent years. Being part of a neurodivergent family means that different ways of perceiving and thinking are a natural part of everyday family life and shape it - with their own challenges, but also with unique strengths and perspectives. These life experiences have taught me how important understanding, acceptance and individual solutions are in order to enable a supportive coexistence.

At the same time, I have acquired a sound knowledge of ADHD and autism through many training and further education courses, specialist literature and, last but not least, practical experience. In numerous conversations with neurodivergent people and their environment, professionals and public authorities, I repeatedly realized how much uncertainty there is in connection with these topics. This realization led me to train as an ADHD and autism coach.

I am married and live with my husband and our three children in the Aegeri Valley. After graduating as a qualified nurse HF and completing further specialist training, I worked in acute and rehabilitation care for over ten years.

neuro-diversity.ch Coaching room by Sira Koch

Training and further education

- ASS coach (autism), SBAP (Swiss Professional Association for Applied Psychology, Zurich) 2023
- AD(H)S Coach, SBAP (Swiss Professional Association for Applied Psychology, Zurich) 2023
- Coaching Tools, SBAP (Swiss Professional Association for Applied Psychology, Zurich) 2023
- Basic coaching module, SBAP (Swiss Professional Association for Applied Psychology, Zurich) 2023
- Higher specialist training in nursing level 1 (HöFa1) with a focus on rehabilitation, SBK (Swiss Professional Association for Nursing) 2009
- Qualified nursing specialist HF, Lucerne Training Center for Health Professions 2005-2006
- Nursing specialist DN1, Intercantonal School for Nursing Professions Zug 2000-2003
- Webinar: Interoception Supports for Chronic Pain, Health Management & Emotional Well-Being in Adults: It is Never Too Late! with Kelly Mahler (Occupational Therapist), August 2025
- Webinar: A 3 Step Approach to Nurturing Interoceptive Awareness, with Kelly Mahler (occupational therapist), August 2025
- Webinar: Co-Regulation & Sensory Safety: The Foundation of Successful Participation, with Kelly Mahler (occupational therapist), August 2025
- Webinar: Modern Emotion Regulation Supports for Neurodivergent Learners: Are you Keeping with the Times?, with Kelly Mahler (occupational therapist), July 2025
- Webinar: The 5 Keys to Behavior Regulation: How to Support 'Challenging Behavior' in a Kinder, More Effective Manner, with Kelly Mahler (occupational therapist), July 2025
- Emotional Regulation: Tools and Strategies for PDA Individuals, Kristy Forbes Advocate & educator for Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Online Masterclass, June 2025
- ADHD and burnout from ELPOS, with PD Dr. med. Monika Ridinger, May 2025
- Webinar: Monotropism: interests and language, Kieran Rose, The Autistic Advocate, April 2025
- Webinar: Toileting, Interoception & Nutrition: An Evidence-Based Approach for Promoting Toileting Success and Independence, with Kelly Mahler (occupational therapist), April 2025
- Parenting Resistant Tweens and Teens with ADHD with Sharon Saline, Psy.D. Webinar, February 2025
- Mindful Parenting - guiding parents to "mindful parenting" , Priska Sibold, Pluspunkt Center for Continuing Education, Jona, 2024
- H.A.P.P.Y. ®-Coach Training and graduation certified H.A.P.P.Y. ®-Coach, Autism in Context, with Peter Vermeulen, October 2024
- Autism and the Predicative Brain; Absolute Thinking in a Relative World - Practical Implications for Treatment and Intervention. 2-day seminar with Dr. Peter Vermeulen PhD. Organizer: Association for Attachment and Positive Behavior Support, Judith Ormazabal, Zurich, September 2024
- Helping Your Autistic Child with OCD, Webinar with Dr. Naomi Fisher, July 2024
- Helping Your Autistic Child with Trauma Webinar with Dr. Naomi Fisher, July 2024
- PDA - Pathological Demand Avoidance (Syndrome) - Pedagogical-therapeutic training, Sarah Weber, FAPDA Fachverein PDA-Autismus-Profil, June 2024
- ADHD, purely self-study course (online 30 working hours), HFH (Intercantonal University for Special Needs Education) Head Annette Krauss, Claudia Schellenberg, Dominik Gyseler, June 2024
- PDA - Pathological Demand Avoidance (Syndrome) - Psychiatric-psychological training, Dr. Nicole Chou-Knecht and Elisabeth Carl, FAPDA Fachverein PDA-Autismus-Profil, May 2024
- Parenting Neurodivergent Teens day webinar with Viv Dawes Autistic Advocate, June 2024
- Lost Connections: The Relationship Between Interoception and Masking, online course with Kelly Mahler and Kieran Rose, June 2024
- Interoception and Monotropism: Paying Attention to Autistic and ADHD Experiences, online course with Kelly Mahler and Kieran Rose, June 2024
- Disability insurance assistance benefits, Martin Boltshauser Lawyer, Procap, May 2024
- Autistic Burnout by Professor Tony Attwood & Dr Michelle Garnett, online half day seminar, February 2024
- Developing a Positive Self Identity by Professor Tony Attwood & Dr Michelle Garnett, online half day seminar, February 2024
- Succeeding with Autistic Teenagers by Professor Tony Attwood & Dr Michelle Garnett, online one day seminar, January 2024
- PDA and Autism by Professor Tony Attwood & Dr Michelle Garnett, online half day seminar, January 2024
- Compensation for disadvantages at school, elpos Switzerland webinar, 2024
- Autistic masking and setting boundaries Day webinar with Viv Dawes Autistic Advocate, January 2024
- Executeive Function 101 Full video course with 45 lessons with Seth Perler, 2023 / 2024
- The challenge of everyday life and school with a child with Asperger's, webinar with Nicole Steinbach from Asperger Kids, 2023
- Managing stress and meldowns in the family home, 3 Part Webinar with Kristy Forbes Advocate & educator for Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), 2023
- A closer look at Autism Anxiety and Demand Avoidance, Webinar with Kristy Forbes Advocate & educator for Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), 2023
- How to engage demand avoid children withe learning at home, webinar with Kristy Forbes Advocate & educator for Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), 2023
- Critical Care and Recovery, 6 week intensive coaching program with Kristy Forbes Advocate & educator for Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), 2023
- The Inside of Autism, 6 training modules with Kieran Rose, The Autistic Advocate, 2023
- Stuart Shanker Self-Reg Parenting Course 10 Online Modules, 2022
- Symposium 2025 Autism Switzerland with Dr. Peter Vermeulen, University Hospital Zurich (Topics of the symposium: Sensory challenges in autism based on the theory of the predictive brain / understanding, building and shaping relationships) Zurich, May 2025
- Autistic Burnout Network Conference, The Autistic Burnout Network Conference is a space for neurodivergent professionals to come together and promote an understanding of autistic burnout. Viv Dawes Autistic Advocate AuDHD author, trainer & consultant online, May 2025
- Minding Autistic Minds Conference 2025, AUsome-Training, 2 days online, May 2025
- The Executive Function Online Summit TEFOS by Seth Perler, 3 days August 2024
- Symposium 2024 Autism Switzerland & Child and Autism Foundation "Coping better with autism in everyday life" with Prof. Dr. Tony Attwood, cooperation, Zurich, June 2024
- Minding Autistic Minds Conference 2024, AUsome-Training, 2 days online, May 2024
- 5th Annual PDA Space Summit 3 days online, April 2024
- Lives in the Balance 2024 Virtual Annual Summit, "Voices of the Neurodivergent Community" with Dr. Ross Greene, April 24
- MasterClass: "PDA: Not What You Think It Is!" with Dr. Megan Neff, April 24
- 17th Federal Conference Autism Congress Autism Germany, March 8 - 10, 2024
- The Executive Function Online Summit TEFOS by Seth Perler, 3 days August 2023
- The Executive Function Online Summit TEFOS by Seth Perler, 3 days August 2022
- Participation in further training
- Participation in specialist conferences
- Supervisions
- Exchange and networking with various specialists
- Exchange with neurodivergent people
- Technical literature
- Memberships in various professional associations
- Neurodiversity Association
- FAPDA Professional Association PDA Autism Profile
- Autism Switzerland
- ADHS Organization elpos Switzerland
- Association Asperger-Hilfe Nordwestschweiz
AS Support Zurich
Bettina Baumann Boltshauser, Autism and ADHD coach.
Various events are organized in cooperation with Neuro-diversity.ch
Educandus
The educational information and advice platform for teachers, parents and schools

Dealing with topics such as ADHD and autism is more than just a professional focus for me - it is a personal fascination that keeps me constantly learning.

My attitude: What does "Neuro-diversity.ch" mean to me?

The term "neurodiversity" describes the entire natural diversity of neurological manifestations - i.e. the broad spectrum of different communication styles, ways of thinking and perception. This diversity is not a disease or disorder, but a valuable expression of human diversity.

With the name 'Neuro-diversity', I would like to express precisely this attitude: Building bridges - between neurodivergent and neuronormative people; between specialist knowledge and the lived reality of life; between uncertainty and genuine understanding.

These bridges should help to break down prejudices and misunderstandings, overcome fears of contact and create space for mutual respect. Because only if we recognize neurological diversity as an enrichment and break down barriers together can we create an inclusive environment in which everyone feels comfortable.

It's time to leave the disorder narrative behind us - and stop measuring neurodivergent people against standards that were never made for them.

More about my philosophy