Goliath Advocacy was founded not from a textbook, but from a lifetime of navigating a world that wasn't designed for neurodivergent minds — and discovering that lived experience is the most powerful credential of all.
For over 25 years, James Dedrickson built a career in IT, Information Security, and Cybersecurity — troubleshooting complex systems, identifying vulnerabilities, and protecting what matters most.
But the skills that secured enterprise networks were the same skills wired into him as a neurodivergent person: pattern recognition, attention to detail, analytical thinking, seeing what others missed.
When James turned those same skills toward the disability support system, he saw what wasn't working — and built something different. Something real. That's Goliath Advocacy.
Start Your JourneyFounder, CEO & Lead Advocate — bringing 25+ years of technical expertise and a lifetime of lived neurodivergent experience to every client he serves.
I'm neurodivergent — AuDHD (Autism + ADHD) plus depression. I didn't just study disability services. I've lived them. I've been the person who needed a provider, watched friends and families get burned by bad ones, and now I'm the provider committed to doing this right.
Before founding Goliath Advocacy, I spent 25+ years in IT, InfoSec, and Cybersecurity — troubleshooting complex systems, finding vulnerabilities, recognizing patterns others missed, and analyzing trends to predict failures before they happened.
Those weren't just job skills. They're traits that came built-in as part of my neurodivergent brain. The same pattern recognition that helped me secure enterprise systems now helps me spot what's broken in disability support systems.
— James Dedrickson, Founder
Growing up, James had a difficult time focusing in school and was eventually diagnosed with ADHD. He was also diagnosed with major depressive disorder and anxiety. In 2004, he was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome — a genetic disorder affecting the body's connective tissues. And later in his adult years, high-functioning autism.
Rather than viewing these as limitations, James learned to harness them as strengths. These diagnoses aren't just part of his personal story — they're the foundation of his professional credibility.
The analytical toolkit James built in cybersecurity didn't stay in the tech world — it came with him into advocacy. Every skill he developed protecting enterprise systems now protects the families and individuals he serves.
Currently training as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS), James brings an additional layer of depth to his work — the understanding that shared lived experience is one of the most powerful tools in supporting others. Peer support isn't about having all the answers. It's about walking beside someone with genuine understanding, demonstrating that growth is possible, and meeting people exactly where they are.
This philosophy is woven into every interaction at Goliath Advocacy. You're not a case file. You're a person — and you deserve support from someone who truly gets it.
These aren't words on a wall. They're the principles that guide every conversation, every support plan, and every interaction we have.
We build your capacity to advocate for yourself — not create reliance on us. Our goal is to work ourselves out of a job by making you stronger.
No scripts. No corporate speak. We show up as real people, share our real experiences, and give you real answers — even when they're hard.
Different isn't broken. We celebrate how your brain works, build strategies that fit your unique wiring, and never try to make you "act normal."
Every person we work with deserves to be treated with full dignity — not as a case number, a diagnosis, or a paycheck. You are a whole person.
No waitlists. No red tape. No endless intake forms that go nowhere. When you need support, we move quickly to make it happen.
We're invested in your long-term outcomes — not just the next invoice. When you succeed, we succeed. That's not marketing. That's how we operate.
Elephants are among the most remarkable creatures on earth. They are powerful yet gentle, fiercely protective of their herd, and known for their extraordinary memory. They grieve their losses, celebrate their victories, and most importantly — they never leave one of their own behind.
That's what Goliath Advocacy represents. We are strong enough to face complex systems and fight for what you deserve. We are gentle enough to meet you with compassion and patience. And we never, ever leave one of our own behind.
🐘 The name "Goliath" was chosen to represent something formidable standing in your corner — so you never have to face the giants alone.
Start with a free, no-pressure 20–30 minute conversation. We'll listen, answer your questions, and explore how Goliath Advocacy can support your journey.