Vantage Voices · Episode 06
April Vian
Neurodivergence at work, and the skills the world assumes we all figure out.
Hosted by Rachael Barclay · Bridging the Gap
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April Vian spent 15 years working with neurodivergent kids, and kept watching them age into adults the world quietly stopped helping. The assumption is that you either lean on your parents forever or somehow have it all figured out by 22. Most people live in between: independent and capable, but never taught the skills that make work and life click. So April built Bridging the Gap, a social benefit corporation (one that can never put profit above purpose) that teaches those skills to individuals, and coaches the companies that employ them.
In this one: why "we have to be inclusive" is the wrong starting line, the difference between a rule that matters and a rule we just never questioned (everyone needs to be on time, versus you need to meet your deadlines), and why so many capable people get stuck in a contributor-only lane for lack of the soft skills nobody ever taught them. Plus April's favorite reframe for the adults she works with: you might be a normal zebra, not a weird horse.
What she can give the room: connecting people (especially across healthcare and mental health), parenting and IEP advocacy, and adult ADHD and autism clarity assessments. The introduction she is looking for: decision-makers and speaking stages, to reach more employers and more neurodivergent adults. She named Patty Murray and the Seattle City Council.
HOW TO WORK WITH APRIL
The front door is a Discovery Call, a short exploratory call to find where she can help. From there the paths are:
- Individual coaching: executive functioning, social and leadership skills, the things that actually get people promoted. - For employers: inclusivity and HR behavioral coaching, plus executive-functioning and social-skills workshops for your team. - Clarity assessments: for adults wondering if they might be ADHD or autistic. Not a medical diagnosis, a clarifying one. - Speaking: April speaks to teams and audiences on neurodivergence at work.
As a social benefit corporation, Bridging the Gap also offers discounted or free trainings for small, family, and minority-owned businesses, and accepts donations.
CONNECT WITH APRIL
Book a Discovery Call: bridgingthegapwa.com/appointments Services: bridgingthegapwa.com/services Speaking: bridgingthegapwa.com/speaking-1 Resources: bridgingthegapwa.com/new-page-1 Store: bridgingthegapwa.com/store Website: bridgingthegapwa.com And on her Vantage directory listing.
Book she recommends: The Mastery of Self by don Miguel Ruiz Jr.
They turn into adults with a negative self-narrative, thinking these are character flaws. It is really just skills they were never taught.
A normal zebra, not a weird horse.
There is a difference between everyone needs to be on time and you need to meet your deadlines. Which of those actually matters?
What April can give the room
- Connecting people, especially across healthcare and mental health
- Parenting and IEP / special-education advocacy
- Adult ADHD and autism clarity assessments
The introduction April is looking for
Introductions to decision-makers and speaking stages, to reach more employers and more neurodivergent adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is April Vian?
April Vian is the founder of Bridging the Gap. They help neurodivergent adults, and the companies that employ them.
What can April offer other Vantage members?
Connecting people, especially across healthcare and mental health; Parenting and IEP / special-education advocacy; Adult ADHD and autism clarity assessments.
What is April looking for?
Introductions to decision-makers and speaking stages, to reach more employers and more neurodivergent adults.
What is Vantage Voices?
Vantage Voices is the podcast of Vantage, a members-first network in Seattle. Each episode is a short conversation with one member so the room can get to know them before they meet.
Every member gets a seat in this chair.
Join Vantage