Financial advisor Andrew Komarow will lead a new effort by the Financial Planning Association to better serve the needs of advisors and clients with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and Tourette Syndrome.
The new community — The FPA Neurodivergent Planner Knowledge Circle — will explore the needs of neurodivergent financial planners who may have thinking or learning variations. It will not only provide a community for neurodiverse planners, but also for those hiring or supervising neurodiverse individuals or serving neurodiverse clients. The group will share resources, insights and best practices.
Planned discussions will focus on reframing employment, benefits, and accommodations to best serve the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals. The community will explore additional educational initiatives and content over the coming months.
“Neurodivergent individuals think differently, not less. Hiring Neurodiverse is not charity work, we hire the best people for the job, and many happen to be neurodiverse. With one in five individuals in the country being neurodivergent, it stands to reason that many advisers and clients are neurodivergent whether or not they know it or disclose it,” said Komarow, who was recently named by InvestmentNews as a 2021 Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion award honoree.
Komarow has a long list of licenses and designations, including MSFS, CFP, AEP, AIF. BFA, CAP, CASL, CHFC, ChSNC, CLU, FSCP, REBC, RHU, RICP and WMCP.
