About Sarah
My extensive experience, combined with specialized training in ADHD, autism, and polyvagal theory, uniquely positions me to help you in a safe and connected environment. With a global perspective and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, I am here to support you in achieving a balanced, fulfilling, and organized life.
I’m from the USA, with a Dutch spouse, and have been living overseas for 20+ years, raising a neurodiverse family. My experiences, as a lawyer and librarian, teaching LL.M. students and training lawyers in client-centered advocacy skills honed my ability to provide effective and empathetic coaching. Since 2017, I’ve passionately championed neurodiverse families, co-founding the first English language support group in Vietnam for parents of neurodivergent children.
As the Vietnam chapter chair for SENIA International, I collaborate with international school teachers, local organizations, and specialists to provide resources, build networks, and create educational opportunities for parents, caregivers, professionals, and children. I also serve on the Board of the Parents Alliance for Inclusion, advocating for more comprehensive student support services at international schools. Additionally, I regularly present at conferences and to schools as an ADHD educator and advocate, sharing insights and strategies to enhance support for neurodivergent students, families and staff, and fostering collaboration to ensure every voice is heard and valued.
Philosophy
Underpinned by the most current research in ADHD, neuroscience, executive functioning, Polyvagal Theory, coaching, mindfulness, and self-compassion, I use a strengths-based approach to support you in thriving and living the life you deserve. I believe you are not broken and don’t need fixing. You need nonjudgmental, compassionate support to understand yourself and your personal and character strengths*, and to learn how to use those strengths rather than focusing on managing deficits.
* Take the free VIA survey to discover your character strengths, also known as the positive parts of your personality that make you feel authentic and engaged – the “real” you. My personal top 7 VIA character strengths are: perspective, kindness, leadership, creativity, love of learning, curiosity, & perseverance. Expressing these strengths is how I enjoy living my life and guiding others on their own path to personal empowerment.
Qualifications
COACHING CERTIFICATIONS
- AACC (ADDCA Accredited ADHD Coach), ADD Coach Academy, USA
- AAC (Associate Certified Coach), International Coaching Federation (ICF)
- CACP (Certified ADHD Coach Practitioner), Professional Association for ADHD Coaches (PAAC)
DEGREES
- B.A. (Bachelors of Arts), Smith College, USA
- J.D. (Juris Doctor), University of Connecticut, USA
- M.L.I.S. (Masters Degree in Library Science and Information), University of Washington, USA
ADDITIONAL COURSES:
- Short certification courses in Understanding Behavior, Learning Differences & Diagnosed Disabilities, Universal Supports, and Developing IEPs.
CHAAD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Organization)
- Parent to Parent Training Instructor Certificate
- Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist Training
- Clinical Applications of Polyvagal Theory in Trauma Treatment with Dr. Stephen Porges and Deb Dana
“Values in Action” character strengths
Listen to me talk
Partners
I collaborate with other professionals to create a support team tailored to your needs and goals:
Education, Training and Advocacy
April J Remfrey, MS, is an educational consultant that focuses her time working with international schools and globally mobile families with neurodiverse and disabled children. April’s primary focus is on facilitating professional development sessions that equip school staff with the necessary knowledge and strategies to create truly inclusive learning environments. Through in-depth audits, she meticulously assesses existing practices and identifies areas for improvement, guiding schools on their journey towards inclusivity. Beyond her work with schools, April provides invaluable support to families in search of the perfect educational fit for their neurodivergent or disabled child. With her wealth of experience, she offers personalized consultations, helping parents navigate the intricate landscape of education. Her guidance and expertise address the challenging questions and decisions that often arise during the parenting journey.
Charlotte Leighton
Charlotte is a UK-based ADDCA-certified ADHD coach and Autism mentor. She also holds a diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and a certificate in Person-Centred Counseling. She has more than a decade of private and public sector experience in the Autism field as a mentor and manager of adult services, including designing and delivering corporate neurodiversity trainings. Charlotte specialises in supporting neurodivergent women with ADHD and/or autism diagnoses to help better understand and work with their conditions in all areas of their lives. Charlotte can also support both ADHD and non-ADHD partners to forge healthier, happier relationships and find more positive and productive ways to respond to challenges and communicate with one another.
Dr. Ton van der Velden
Originally a surgeon specialized in obstetrics/gynecology, Ton has over 30 years of medical education and training experience. He has provided technical support to government departments, universities and training colleges in the development of policy, national programs, standards, guidelines, and curricula to bring about positive and inclusive changes in society. He is a facilitator, trainer, master trainer of trainers, and an ADHD medical professional certified through the Dr. Russell Barkely-created courses at PESI, a leading US Continuing Education provider. Ton serves on the SENIA Vietnam Board, and most recently presented about ADHD at the 2023 UNIS Hanoi Learning Together Conference. (English & Tiếng Việt)
Counseling
Laurence Fabre-Welmond
Laurence trained as a clinical psychologist in France and as a licensed clinical social worker in the US. She has much professional experience working with children with socio-emotional and neuro-developmental disorders and with their families. She has also worked with adults and couples in a multicultural and expatriation context in four different continents: Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. She works remotely with individuals who are based in different countries. Her professional focus includes transitions and changes (moves, expatriation, family life cycles), depression, anxiety, self-regulation difficulties, ADHD, & Autism Spectrum. Laurence can work in English and French.
Country Transitions and Home Organization
Lindsey Bean
Home and family organization is a huge factor in de-stressing the lives of neurodivergent people. As a professional organizer, Lindsey can support you in taking both big and small steps toward building organization and creating routines that work for you. She can also work with you as you transition in and out of your posting, after the official work-provided support ends and the real adjustments begin.
Learning Support and Student Success
Lindsey Hicks Tate
A highly experienced former Learning Support teacher, who has worked at international schools around the globe, Lindsey is focused on supporting the whole family collaboratively. Through working with her, parents and children can gain a better understanding of learning differences, and the details that entails such as coordinating with your child’s “team” and IEP/ILP development. It is her mission to support families and their children to be understood and accepted for who they are, not how to fit in.
Lori Key
Lori is a Certified Educational Diagnostician (Texas) and ALT (Academic Language Therapist) providing professional educational evaluations to children and adults since 2013. Lori has worked in the USA, Morocco, China, Vietnam, South Korea and Egypt. Her experiences as a learning support specialist and classroom teacher have given her a unique skill set that enables her not only to identify learning issues but also give practical suggestions on strategies for both student and teacher to best address them. She has successfully submitted reports to the College Board (PSAT, SAT & ACT Exams), Cambridge International Examination (IGCSE ), and the International Baccalaureate (IBO) for students to receive educational accommodations. She is also a member of TEDA (Texas Educational Diagnosticians’ Association).
Nutrition
Flavia Breu
A Swiss national, Flavia is a Hoi An-based physiotherapist and nutritionist and works with families to use good nutrition as a complementary treatment for improving quality of life for ADHDers. She can help adjust diets to positively manage and affect ADHD symptoms, create a plan for where to start when making changes, and how to track and see if changes are working.