What is an ADHD Coach?
An ADHD coach is a trained professional who works with children, teenagers, or adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to help them develop strategies to overcome the unique challenges they face due to ADHD symptoms.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a common mental health disorder characterised by the inability to focus (attention deficit), excessive movement or activity (hyperactivity) and impulsivity (acting without thinking things through). It is a chronic debilitating condition that can cause academic difficulties and problems with developing social skills in children. In adults, it can disrupt professional and personal relationships.
Benefits of ADHD Coaching
An ADHD coach can help you with:
- Realistic goal setting
- Planning and scheduling
- Organizational skills
- Time management
- Self-motivation
- Prioritization
- Adoption of positive behaviors
- Memory improvement
- Problem-solving
- Relationship and communication skills
- Confidence and self-esteem building
Who can offer ADHD Coaching?
ADHD coaching can be offered by:
- Licensed mental health professionals with a practice exclusively devoted to ADHD coaching
- Licensed mental health professionals who treat mental health conditions and also offer ADHD coaching
- Individuals from the educational field; for example, a certified teacher or professor at the college level, who have been trained in ADHD coaching.
- Individuals who have been trained in ADHD coaching, but are not mental health professionals or educational professionals.
What does ADHD Coaching involve?
ADHD coaching can be done in a one-to-one or a group setting. The sessions may be conducted in person, online, or over the phone. Generally, the ADHD coaching sessions last for 30 minutes to an hour.
The first coaching session is a longer session in which the ADHD coach will ask you certain questions to help you reflect on the areas of your life that you would like to work on and your long-term goals. This will help to guide the direction, frequency, and duration of the coaching period.
In subsequent sessions, your ADHD coach will review your progress, provide feedback and encouragement, and offer practical suggestions to overcome specific challenges as they arise. The sessions may be held weekly for the first 3-6 months and then maybe cut back to monthly sessions depending on your level of progress.
At the end of the coaching period, a final review session will be held to discuss the results of the coaching and what your next steps should be.
Are You a Candidate for ADHD Coaching?
ADHD coaching may be useful for college students or adults who struggle with completing their assignments or work due to poor time management and organizational skills and self-esteem issues. Children diagnosed with ADHD can also benefit from ADHD coaching. The ADHD coach can provide coaching for the parents and the child to help them learn more about the disease and the best ways to manage its symptoms.
