Parents often reach out to coaches because they are worried that their child is negatively impacted by ADHD. When a young person is not flourishing, it impacts not only the child, but the entire family. The parent is often desperate for help.
ADHD coaching is not just about working through a to do list or learning to hand in homework on time. ADHD coaches help the client learn about ADHD and how it uniquely impacts his or her quality of life. The client and coach set reasonable and attainable goals to work through during the process. The coach provides a non-judgmental, supportive environment where the client feels comfortable enough to share his strengths and weaknesses. Coaching is about the coach and the client (the student) working together to discover and explore what is getting in the way of success. Once the client becomes self-aware and understands his own unique needs, strategies, skills and tools can be put in place to enhance quality of life. The ultimate goal in ADHD coaching is for the client to become independent and to be able to learn how to take appropriate actions on his or her intentions.
What is Needed for Coaching to be Successful?
- The teen should call or meet with the coach to introduce himself. If he shows willingness and curiosity, he is ready for coaching.
- The teen must be open to learning about ADHD and how it affects her. She must be ready to explore what makes her tick and want to try to manage her ADHD effectively.
- The teen must feel comfortable in a partnership with an adult. The coach is not the boss in this relationship. The teen is in the driver’s seat while the coach can help navigate. Remember, the coach is not a therapist or a tutor.
- The coaching process is based on the teen’s goals, not the parents. If the teen has goals for herself, she is ready for coaching.
- Coaching is not just a weekly conversation. The teen must be willing to take action steps between the coaching sessions. The client agrees to action steps to try out during the week. No matter what happens with the action steps, the teen should be ready to explore the outcome.
- The teen must be ready to take responsibility for his actions. Coaching is not a place where the teen receives instructions to be a better student. Rather, the teen must be ready to take ownership of his thoughts and actions and be willing to reflect on available options.
- The teen needs to realize that to be successful, it takes hard work and effort. It’s not about taking the easiest route; it is about investigating options and resources that will propel the client towards her desired outcome.
Coaching is about clients learning how to effectively work through their challenges so they can lead healthy, happy and productive lives. As parents, we want our teens to find success, but they are the ones who must be ready to take those steps.