Case Study: Neurodiverse-Friendly Virtual Assistant Support for a Business Owner

Traditional business support often assumes that everyone works in the same way. For neurodivergent business owners, this can lead to frustration, overwhelm, and support that feels more stressful than helpful.

This case study shows how neurodiverse-friendly virtual assistant support helped a business owner create structure, reduce mental load, and work in a way that aligned with how their brain actually functions.

▸ Related blog: How Neurodiverse Business Owners Benefit from Virtual Assistant Support

Client Background

The client was a self-employed business owner who identified as neurodivergent. Their business was growing, but managing admin alongside client work was becoming increasingly difficult.

At the time of enquiry:

  • Tasks felt overwhelming and hard to prioritise

  • Admin was frequently delayed or avoided

  • Systems existed but felt rigid and unhelpful

  • Previous support attempts hadn’t worked

The client didn’t need “more pressure” — they needed support that adapted to them, not the other way around.

The Challenge

The main challenges included:

  • Executive function overwhelm

  • Difficulty breaking tasks into manageable steps

  • Rigid systems that didn’t align with how the client worked

  • Anxiety around deadlines and forgotten tasks

  • Feeling judged or misunderstood by previous support

The client was concerned that bringing in support would increase stress rather than reduce it.

Our Approach

We began with a gentle, collaborative discovery process focused on:

  • Understanding how the client preferred to work

  • Identifying triggers for overwhelm

  • Clarifying communication preferences

  • Removing unnecessary complexity

Rather than forcing structure, we focused on flexible, neurodiverse-friendly virtual assistant support that provided:

  • Clear priorities

  • Simple systems

  • Compassionate accountability

Support was designed to feel supportive, not controlling.

Support Delivered

The neurodiverse-friendly virtual assistant support included:

Task & Priority Management

  • Clear weekly priorities

  • Visual task tracking

  • Gentle reminders and check-ins

Systems Simplification

  • Removing unnecessary tools

  • Simplifying workflows

  • Adapting systems to suit the client’s working style

Flexible Admin Support

  • Inbox monitoring and prioritisation

  • Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable actions

  • Supporting deadlines without pressure

Communication & Support Style

  • Clear, written communication

  • Consistent check-ins

  • Adaptable working methods

Support was delivered through an ongoing VA retainer, allowing flexibility and trust to build over time.

The Outcome

After implementing neurodiverse-friendly VA support:

  • Admin tasks felt manageable rather than overwhelming

  • Missed deadlines reduced significantly

  • Anxiety around admin decreased

  • The client felt supported rather than judged

  • Confidence in running the business increased

The biggest change was emotional — the business felt accessible and sustainable, not exhausting.

Ongoing Support & Next Steps

As the client’s needs evolved, support was adjusted to include:

  • Increased structure during busy periods

  • Reduced support during lower-capacity weeks

  • Ongoing refinement of systems

The flexibility of ongoing support allowed the business to grow without compromising wellbeing.

▸ Learn more about our virtual assistant services for growing UK businesses

Final Thoughts

This case study highlights how neurodiverse-friendly virtual assistant support can make a meaningful difference — not just to productivity, but to wellbeing.

When support is designed around the individual, businesses don’t just function better — they become sustainable.

If you’re a neurodivergent business owner struggling with admin, overwhelm, or rigid systems:

▸ Book a discovery call to explore how flexible, supportive VA services could work for you.