Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewWhat an ADHD Coach DoesWhy an ADHD Coach Can Be HelpfulExamples for TeensExamples for AdultsFinding an ADHD Coach

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Overview

What an ADHD Coach Does

Why an ADHD Coach Can Be Helpful

Examples for Teens

Examples for Adults

Finding an ADHD Coach

Close

“While most of these patients want to succeed, their symptoms keep tripping them up,” noted Dr. Hallowell. “Their problems lie not so much in assessing what they should do as in following through. Most individuals with ADHD can tell you what they would like to do, their problem lies in doing it.”

This is where a trained coach can assist, provide guidance, support, accountability, and supplement treatment. The field of ADHD coaching has come a long way since 1995. Professional associations for coaching have been established, specific training and certification standards have been developed, research in the field is emerging, and many books on the topic have been written.

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According to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) Subcommittee on ADHD Coaching, “ADHD coaches support their clients in developing a comprehensive understanding of both the nature of ADHD and the impact of ADHD on their client’s quality of life.

ADHD coaches work with clients to create structures, support, skills, and strategies. Coaching assists clients with ADHD to stay focused on their goals, face obstacles, address core ADHD-related issues like time management, organization, and self-esteem, gain clarity and function more effectively.”

Many people with ADHD lack organizational skills, often losing things or becoming overloaded with commitments. They may struggle with managing their time, prioritizing, planning, persisting at tasks, and sustaining motivation towards goals. ADHD coaches tackle these and similar practical matters.

“The coach provides a supportive non-judgmental partnership in which the client is encouraged to set reasonable and attainable goals and create an action plan to reach those goals,” says Jodi Sleeper-Triplett, an ADHD coach and the author of “Empowering Youth with ADHD.”

“The coach provides support as the client works to increase self-awareness, self-esteem and self-reliance, all important for health and well-being.”

Sleeper-Triplett lists some of the common challengesteens and young adults with ADHDmay face including:

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“An ADHD coach can help adults with ADHD increase their self-awareness, identify their strengths and support the process of self-exploration,” says Sleeper-Triplett. “Together they identify areas of focus for growth and change. The coach partners with the client toset reasonable and attainable goalsand monitors those goals and progress on a regular basis.”

When spouses, partners or work supervisors are unaware of the impact of ADHD on the individual, the coach can help the client self-advocate and explain how ADHD gets in the way of daily life.

“The process of working with an ADHD coach saved my life, in the sense that it got my life on track,” says Jeff Hamilton, an adult with ADHD who works in the sales and marketing field. “For me, coaching was the next step after starting my medication phase and I know that it was a required piece of my puzzle. Coaching has had a huge impact on me.”

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ADHD coachDavid Giwerc, who is also the founder and president of theADD Coach Academy, recommends that anyone interested in hiring a coach should interview at least three coaches to determine: (1) their knowledge base of ADHD, (2) how it is integrated into the coaching, and (3) their level of skill competency facilitating the coaching process.

“A potential coach should be able to tell you their coaching philosophy, how they will work with you, and what you should expect during a session,” says Giwerc.

“Most coaches will offer you a complimentary session for you to experience the coaching. During the session, gauge how the connection to the coach feels; how comfortable are you sharing with this individual? Are they empowering you or giving advice? How much progress did we make in the session? What new awareness did I gain during my session? Did I learn more about how the coach and the process can move me forward? Did I learn how my ADHD gets in the way?”

Giwerc stresses that ADHD coaches need to be well-trained, preferably at an accredited coach training school such as the ICF, International Coach Federation, the governing body of the coaching profession.

Below are someorganizationsthat list directories of ADHD coaches:

What This Means For YouRemember, it is OK if you decide that ADHD coaching is not the right option for you. You may find that medication, lifestyle adjustments, support groups, and/or therapy are sufficient. The goal of ADHD coaching—or any other intervention for ADHD—is to help you be the best version of themselves, not to change who you are or “fix” you.

What This Means For You

Remember, it is OK if you decide that ADHD coaching is not the right option for you. You may find that medication, lifestyle adjustments, support groups, and/or therapy are sufficient. The goal of ADHD coaching—or any other intervention for ADHD—is to help you be the best version of themselves, not to change who you are or “fix” you.

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SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Giwerc, David. Interview/email correspondence. January 5 and 9, 2011.Hallowell, Edward.“Coaching: An Adjunct to the Treatment of ADHD”LifeManagement Center 1995.Hamilton, Jeff. Email correspondence. January, 5, 2011.Monastra, Vincent. Unlocking the Potential of Patients With ADHD: A Model for Clinical Practice. American Psychological Association. 2008.Ratey, Nancy and Jaksa, Peter.“ADDA Guiding Principles for Coaching Individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder”Attention Deficit Disorder Association. 2002.Sleeper-Triplett, Jodi. Interview/email correspondence. December 8 and 10, 2010.

Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Giwerc, David. Interview/email correspondence. January 5 and 9, 2011.Hallowell, Edward.“Coaching: An Adjunct to the Treatment of ADHD”LifeManagement Center 1995.Hamilton, Jeff. Email correspondence. January, 5, 2011.Monastra, Vincent. Unlocking the Potential of Patients With ADHD: A Model for Clinical Practice. American Psychological Association. 2008.Ratey, Nancy and Jaksa, Peter.“ADDA Guiding Principles for Coaching Individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder”Attention Deficit Disorder Association. 2002.Sleeper-Triplett, Jodi. Interview/email correspondence. December 8 and 10, 2010.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Giwerc, David. Interview/email correspondence. January 5 and 9, 2011.Hallowell, Edward.“Coaching: An Adjunct to the Treatment of ADHD”LifeManagement Center 1995.Hamilton, Jeff. Email correspondence. January, 5, 2011.Monastra, Vincent. Unlocking the Potential of Patients With ADHD: A Model for Clinical Practice. American Psychological Association. 2008.Ratey, Nancy and Jaksa, Peter.“ADDA Guiding Principles for Coaching Individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder”Attention Deficit Disorder Association. 2002.Sleeper-Triplett, Jodi. Interview/email correspondence. December 8 and 10, 2010.

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