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In addition to treatment options such as medication, therapy, and games, an ADHD coach can help adults or ADHD children with their symptoms, habits, and goals.
In this article, I'll go over what an ADHD coach does, the benefits of seeing an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder coach, and how to find ADHD coaches to work with. Lastly, we'll talk about the cost of coaching and how to cover it should you choose to work with an ADHD coach.
What Is an ADHD Coach?
Often, an ADHD coach is a life coach or a mental health professional who specializes in helping people with ADHD combat the challenges they face and meet their goals.
One thing to be mindful of is that coaching isn't the same as therapy, so it's not typically regulated in the way that therapy is. That doesn't mean that it's not valuable, but it does mean that an ADHD coach may or may not have certain forms of education or certification.
The level of education and the certifications a coach has can impact your experience, and this is something to consider when you look for an ADHD coach for young adults. It's important to pick an ADHD coach that you're confident and comfortable working with.
Before you start working with an ADHD coach, you might ask questions such as what their educational and professional background is like, how they've helped clients with problems similar to yours in the past, or anything else that makes you feel secure with working together.
Benefits Of ADHD Coaching For Kids
Coaching is research-backed and can benefit young adults who live with ADHD in multiple ways. You'll designate and work on specific goals during the coaching process. Benefits of ADHD coaching can include but aren't limited to:
Work, education, and life satisfaction
Whether someone is a student or a professional, it's common for people with ADHD to face occupational challenges. Symptoms such as forgetfulness, misplacing items, and finding it tough to stay seated can all interfere with a person's success at work or school.
Working with a coach can help ADHD kids build time management and organizational skills
Note: try Joon to help you manage your ADHD symptoms and build better habits. Our app is designed to help complete tasks, focus and motivate you while playing a game. Try Joon app for 7-days free today.
Productivity and organization
Productivity and organization difficulties can impact a person with ADHD in many areas of life. For example, cleaning one's home, remembering to pick up medication, and so on. Coaching for ADHD can help a person who has ADHD better their general productivity, motivation, and organization.
Improvement in interpersonal relationships
Many people with ADHD face challenges in interpersonal relationships. This can be due to difficulties with emotional regulation, communication differences, and marked ADHD symptoms, such as appearing as though one's not listening when spoken to and impulsive behavior.
Coaches who work with various populations often help people with their friendships, familial relationships, and romantic partnerships. An ADHD coach might do this, too; some even specialize in it.
Self-confidence and coping skills
ADHD symptoms can be frustrating for a person who lives with ADHD. A coach can help individuals find coping skills that help them manage frustration, as well as other symptoms or concerns they might face; for example, feelings of nervousness or overwhelm. The coach usually provides encouragement to build confidence.
Self-confidence is a common battle among individuals who live with ADHD. Coaching typically results in an overall heightened sense of well-being, self-regulation, and achievement of goals. When you achieve your goals, it can support self-confidence, as can having the necessary coping skills for times of hardship in these areas.
Note: Try Joon to help manage your child's ADHD symptoms. Joon is a game that is designed for kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The game incorporates real life tasks with in-game play. In other words, kids get rewards for tasks assigned by parents. Many parents have seen their ADHD child be more motivated, autonomous and disciplined. Try a 7 day free trial and see how it works here:
How to Find an ADHD Coach
Are you wondering how to find an ADHD coach? Using a directory is a great way to do it.
While someone who works as a coach doesn't need to have any particular form of education, training, or certifications, most people prefer to look for a coach who is as qualified as possible.
If you want to find an ADHD coach with a desirable level of training and education, one thing that you can do is look for a coach through an organization or training academy. For example, in the ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO), their coaches have specialized training and expertise.
There is a directory on the ACO website you can use to find an ADHD coach based on factors such as coaching format and specialties. Specialties an ADHD coach has may include career, couples, LGBTQIA+ populations, students, parents, and more.
When you know what you'd like a coach to specialize in, it can help you narrow your options down. Using this directory, you'll also get to review a coach's level of education, special training they might have, and other pieces of information that relate to who they are and how they practice.
Of course, this is only one example of a website or organization that can help you find an ADHD coach. PAAC and ADDCA are two more examples. Both of these websites also have coach directories.
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of ADHD coaching can vary. It may go without saying, but every coach will price their services differently. If you go through an organization, there may be standard rates on the website for that organization.
Sometimes, a coach will bill per session, or they may offer a flat rate for a package of sessions. Many coaches will provide free phone consultations to help you determine if their services are right for you. This can help a client feel confident and comfortable before they commit to the cost of coaching.
Recommended reading: ADHD Resources For Parents: A Complete Guide Of The Most Helpful Resources
Per session
Costs could range from $75-200 per coaching session, though sometimes, more or less.
Package
A coach may offer a package deal of multiple sessions. For example, $675 for a month of 4 sessions and continued support.
There are resources that can help individuals cover the cost of an ADHD coach. You may look for a coach who offers sliding skill rates or has pro bono coaching slots, or you may get services that are either similar to coaching or are marketed as coaching but are covered by your health insurance plan (such as services from a licensed mental health professional who happens to provide coaching or coaching-adjacent services), for example.
If you are concerned that you may not be able to cover the cost of coaching, consult with a medical provider who can refer you to someone who can help, contact a coaching organization to ask about your options, or ask an independent coach about their pricing or if they know of any colleagues who could be more accessible to you in terms of cost.
Takeaway
An ADHD coach can help a person who lives with ADHD in a multitude of ways. With an ADHD coach, an individual may work to improve life satisfaction, work and educational success, interpersonal relationships, self-esteem or confidence, emotional regulation, productivity and organization in daily life activities, and more.
Research shows that it can be effective. You might find a coach who offers services independently, or you may find a coach through an organization. If you feel that you may find value in working with an ADHD coach but aren't sure how to pay for the service, there are options that can help you cover the cost.
About
Dr. Carrie Jackson, PhD
