What is ADHD Coaching Anyway?
An emerging area of practice—is it worth doing?
Let's face it, the world is built for a different brain than ours. I don’t subscribe to the idea that ADHD brains are broken. That doesn’t mean life isn’t hard sometimes though if you have ADHD. Sometimes, thriving in a world that is neurotypical-centric (is that a word?) feels like trying to wear square shoes on round feet.
Enter the superhero of the misunderstood mind: the ADHD coach. But what exactly is this mythical creature, and can it really help you conquer your to-do list (or at least remember where you put it)? And as an aside: children can benefit from ADHD coaches too. Your primary schooler might not keep a to-do list, but it doesn’t mean that executive dysfunction isn’t wreaking havoc that they could help with. Are they lethargic and slow to dress in the morning? Accused of “daydreaming” at school?” I got you.
Think of an ADHD coach as your personal cheerleader and strategist. They understand the unique challenges of the ADHD brain – the focus flits, the time blindness is real, and the urge to procrastinate can be a force of nature. Here's the magic: They don't just tell you to "try harder" (because, let's be honest, we've all tried that, right?). Instead, they work with you to develop strategies that fit your brain's strengths and weaknesses.
Do ADHD coaches have ADHD?
Not necessarily, but a lot of us do. I have ADHD. For transparency, I got a late diagnosis. That means a lot of coping without strategies, medication or self-understanding for a very long time. It meant I become very resilient, and I think this a core feature of the growing ADHD person, but I think I would have benefitted from support and understanding earlier.
That’s what I can help with.
Sounds good, but what do you actually look at?
What might that look like? It could be:
Building routines that work with your natural energy levels. I am not trying to change you, or improve you, but learn you to work with your ADHD and not against your ADHD. When you reach flow, and learn to swim with the tide, your ADHD can be your secret weapon (I refuse to use the word superpower!!) and you can learn to be more understanding of when the tide goes out too. I affirm what is happening for you.
Taming the time monster with time management tricks. For young adults, this might mean that monster essay you do not want to leave again at the last minute. For younger people, this might mean navigating getting washed and dressed in the morning. I have tactics, strategies and tools to try—and I will listen to you too. I won’t give up on you or the process.
Developing organisational systems that don't feel like a prison. Are you sick of being told to buy a planner? Or to write things down? Don’t they get it? I’ve heard all of this, and groaned, and found other things that work.
Keeping those big feelings in. Tackling explosions and dysregulation. I get it. I have ADHD. Overwhelm is real. It feels more real if people around you aren’t affirming, and don’t get it. Let’s have a think about how we process our emotions, what is happening inside the brain, and how we create and find our own oasis. I won’t tell you your feelings are wrong. I will listen and help you find a solution that works for you.
Anything else?
An ADHD coach is also your accountability buddy, the one who celebrates your wins (no matter how small) and helps you get back on track when the inevitable squirrel distraction hits. ADHD coaching isn't about changing who you are. It's about working with your brain to create a life that feels manageable, productive, and, most importantly, awesome.
Think you might benefit from an ADHD coach? Here are some things to consider:
Are you constantly feeling overwhelmed and behind?
Does staying focused feel like an uphill battle?
Do you have unfinished projects scattered everywhere (physical or metaphorical)?
If you answered yes to any of these, an ADHD coach could be your secret weapon.
Can you help me?
Absolutely! I am a qualified coach registered with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council. I am also undertaking one of the most comprehensive courses in the UK, developed and delivered by the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity, to further and continually improve my skills. I delivered ADHD coaching to young people aged 6-25, and also to parents who either have a child with ADHD or have ADHD themselves—or let’s be honest, usually both. I take a whole family approach.
Please get in touch:
Final thoughts
Coaching is a really powerful way to find a professional to sit alongside you, and be in your world, while you are on a journey of change. Remember, you're not broken, your brain is just wired differently. And with the right support, you can rock that square-peg-in- a-round-world life with confidence (and maybe a little less frustration). A coach doesn’t tell you what to do or what to think, but they help you make informed choices, and act as a sounding board, and as a critical friend.
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