Selecting an ADHD coach

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Dan Weigold, One of Thousands of ADD ADHD Coaches on Noomii.

Is there a difference between a “life” coach and an “ADHD” coach? The answer is yes, there is a difference in the coaching model that is significant enough that it requires specialized training in ADHD.

One of the key differences is how an ADHD coach supports and provides structure for the person with ADHD. People who are struggling with ADHD are looking for new ways to manage time, organize, focus and take action when action is required. People with ADHD increase their ability to manage ADHD when they are able to create supportive habits that replace the diminished executive function capacity (staying focused, responding appropriately, …).

While the coaching process for life, business or other coaching domains is used in coaching people with ADHD, there are additional skills and knowledge that is used in ADHD coaching. The additional skills are usually acquired through specific ADHD training and expand the training coaches have so that the ADHD coach understands the medications, co-morbid conditions, and the issues that many people with ADHD face on a daily basis (including loss of self-esteem, the negative messages, the difficulty of holding a job, …).

A person looking for ADHD coaching may want to know what specific training the coach in ADHD or how they address the needs of a client with ADHD. They may also want to ask how the coach is involved in the ADHD community and how they are staying current in the latest in the ADHD research.

ADHD coaching is a specialized area of the coaching domain and while having ADHD specific coach training is guaranteed to produce results, it does indicate that there is a commitment to working with people with ADHD achieve the success they desire. In any coaching engagement the degree to which a client achieves results is dependent on their commitment to getting results.