What is ADHD coaching?
ADHD coaches work together with their clients who have ADHD or ADHD-like symptoms. They address personal goals and any specific needs. Most current ADHD coaching programs acknowledge the biological underpinnings of the disorder in addressing the core symptoms of ADHD (inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity). Coaching looks at the academic, vocational, emotional and interpersonal life difficulties that are a result of these symptoms and helps clients find ways to overcome their hurdles. Either on an individual level, or as part of a group, a coach provides assistance and support. Coaches help people look at where they are now, where they want to be and how they can get there.
A coach helps people with ADHD carry out the practical activities of daily life in an organised, goal-oriented and timely fashion. In close partnership with their clients, an ADHD coach helps the client learn practical skills and initiate change in his or her daily life. A coach may help an adult with ADHD:
- maintain focus to achieve specific goals
- translate abstract goals into concrete actions
- build motivation and learn to find ways to use concrete and abstract rewards effectively
Coaches help individuals with ADHD learn how the symptoms of ADHD affect their daily lives. Coaches primarily ask questions to help the client reflect and discover their own answers to these questions. The following are examples of questions coaches may ask:
- What changes do you want to make in your daily life?
- What small steps can you take today in the direction of your goals?
- How can you motivate yourself to take action towards this goal?
- When must you have this action completed by?
- What steps have you taken already, and when will you take the remaining steps?
- How will you evaluate the impact of your plan?
Coaches support clients by providing encouragement, feedback and practical suggestions, but they also hold their clients accountable for following through on their goals. They may offer reminders or suggest time management methods. Regular meetings and check-ins are an essential part of the coaching process. These sessions can be conducted in person, online, by phone, by e-mail or by text message depending on the client’s preference. However, before the coaching process begins, the client and the coach should have an initial session that addresses issues such as client needs, expectations of the client and of the coach, fees and payments (coaching services are often not covered by traditional health insurance) and length of time for the coaching contract.
Regular coaching sessions may last 30 to 60 minutes and are used to report progress on the previous week’s goals. They are also used to reflect on what was successful, and areas that inhibited progress. From this reflection, the coach can develop a step-by-step plan for identifying and achieving the next week’s goals.
Evaluation sessions help to determine if progress has been made and to decide upon the client’s next step.