11 Jun 👉 What to Look for in Your Child’s ADHD Coach 👈
What to Look for in Your Child’s ADHD Coach
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting individuals of all ages. In the United States alone, a 2016 survey estimated that 8.4 percent of children aged two to 17 years old have ADHD, while roughly 6.1 million children, or 9.6 percent, had received an ADHD diagnosis. And while the number of individuals with ADHD decreases with age, it is estimated that 2.5 percent of adults live with it.
Despite its prevalence, ADHD is commonly left unaddressed. Its symptoms can be easy to misdiagnose, misrepresent, and even dismiss as behavioral problems typical of growing children. ADHD can make everyday life incredibly challenging–if not impossible–without proper attention. Not only for developing children but also for adults who may not realize that their struggles in their personal, career, and academic lives are likely the results of ADHD symptoms.
The good news, however, is that while ADHD is not “curable,” its associated symptoms and behaviors can be altered and changed—not only through medication, but most importantly, with ADHD therapy and ADHD coaching.
How Does Therapy and Coaching Help with ADHD?
Like many ailments, medication is often the first treatment that comes to mind when one is diagnosed with ADHD. Several known drugs are prescribed for ADHD, but these medicines may not always be the best option for a child. For one, individuals often respond differently to a type of medication, and side effects can sometimes outweigh the benefits.
Even when a child or adult experiences improvement after taking ADHD medication, it’s still important to remember that they are neither a cure nor the only available treatment. Drugs may help a child focus better or fidget less, but they do not teach an individual how to manage symptoms and the resulting stress. In fact, a study by the National Institute of Mental Health suggests that the best outcomes for individuals with ADHD involve medication and behavioral therapy.
The goal of therapy for ADHD in children is to reward and reinforce positive behaviors while decreasing negative actions by setting limits and consequences. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists three principles of behavioral therapy, which are:
- Set specific goals
- Establish rewards and consequences
- Consistency in applying rewards and consequences
Similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, which aims to change the way an individual reacts to specific situations, ADHD coaching fills in the child’s needs for practical ways to handle everyday tasks that the disorder makes more complicated. In other words, while behavioral therapy addresses thoughts and emotions, ADHD coaching focuses on teaching a child how to adopt positive habits or behaviors.
There are many professional treatment providers that can work with a child with ADHD. Psychologists, cognitive-behavioral therapists, learning specialists, and ADHD ADD executive functioning coaches can support various areas of ADHD treatment. From exploring feelings and talk therapy to setting up behavior modification programs and teaching study and organizational techniques to help them succeed in school.
What to Look For in Your Child’s ADHD Coach Before Making a Decision
Before searching for a coach who is a right fit for you, it’s important to first acknowledge your child’s needs and be honest about identifying the areas where support is most needed—whether that’s in managing household duties, accomplishing school tasks, organization skills, or all of the above. It is crucial to choose an ADHD coach that listens to your struggles and understands your challenges. An ADHD coach must also consider that while individuals with ADHD share plenty of similar symptoms, those challenges can affect each person differently.
Individuals with ADHD and their families have unique needs that not every ADHD coach may be able or equipped to fulfill. In choosing the right ADHD coach for your child, there are a few things that you shouldn’t compromise on. These are:
- Expert knowledge about ADHD. A coach must understand not only the ins and outs of ADHD but also the conditions that may sometimes come with it and how they affect a person. In many instances, an individual with ADHD can also experience other mental health issues, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, and self-harming, and may also be dealing with trauma and substance abuse. In these cases, a coach must be able to align the intervention with other treatments the patient may be undergoing and create the right strategies with co-occurring conditions in mind.
- Highly trained and specialized. Unlike ADHD therapists, ADHD coaches do not have state certification or license requirements. While a coach may be certified by the International Coach Federation, the main body that accredits and certifies coaches and training programs, this type of certification is not ADHD-specific. Coaching individuals with ADHD requires specialized training. An ADHD coach must also ensure to keep up with the latest research and studies.
- Vast experience. One of the main strengths of a good ADHD coach is experience. Because they have worked with different individuals with unique needs of their own over the years, experienced coaches can assess and identify the factors affecting a child’s condition that may not always be apparent. These may be psychological, environmental, or relationship-related that contributed or continues to contribute to the individual’s difficulties. And given the various ways that ADHD symptoms can manifest and affect a child, an experienced ADHD coach will know the right way to validate and support areas of struggle while highlighting one’s strengths and gifts.
How to Choose the Right ADHD Coach for Your Child
After carefully considering the non-negotiable requirements an ADHD coach for your child must have, your search begins with understanding that finding the right coach for the job can take time. You will likely find yourself speaking with different professionals, asking plenty of questions, and starting all over again after you thought you’d found the one. While the process will always need to be thorough, it doesn’t always have to be difficult when you jump in prepared. Here are some tips on how to choose the right ADHD coach for your child:
- Be specific about who you want to work with. An ADHD coach is integral to your child’s treatment and development, so it only makes sense to be detailed and clear about your needs. What type of person does your child respond to better? Are you looking for someone who matches your child’s extroverted personality or someone who can balance out his or her energy? Would you be more comfortable with a more fun and play-centered approach?
- Ask for referrals. It’s always best to start close to home when looking for an ADHD coach for your child, especially if you’re unsure where to begin. Speak with and ask for recommendations from parents whose child has similar needs, your primary care provider, your child’s pediatrician, or your child’s school. You may also use professional directories and other online resources to get more information on the providers you find.
- Conduct a pre-assessment. Schedule a meeting over the phone or via video call before making a decision. Make sure to ask relevant questions and allow the coach to explain their methods and approach. List down pertinent questions and take note of their answers. Find out what type of training they have had, how the evaluation process is conducted, how long they have been coaching, and how they assess and give feedback, to name a few.
- Find out if they are open to collaboration. Children with ADHD often struggle with executive functioning skills, which is why ADHD ADD executive functioning coaching is one of the recommended interventions. An ADHD therapist may be focused on behavioral modification, while an ADHD coach can teach organizational and study skills. Ask your coach if they are open to collaborating and coordinating with your child’s therapist to ensure a more effective treatment and management of ADHD symptoms.
- Trust your gut but keep an open mind. During the first couple of meetings with your ADHD coach, it’s important for both parties to get to know each other better. This may mean sharing more information about your child and your family to help your provider get a better understanding of your child’s condition. Be honest about your needs, and give your coach a chance to make recommendations. Having a thorough discussion will help you assess whether a coach is a good fit. In most cases, you can rely on your instincts to make the call, based on the flow of conversation, how well the ADHD coach listened and responded to your questions, and how well you connected.
Beyond helping individuals better manage their difficulties and teaching coping strategies, Themba Tutors’ encompassing tutoring and coaching services are designed to support every aspect of an individual’s learning and development. Hailing from different schools of thought and philosophies, our highly qualified tutors, coaches, and learning specialists take advantage of their wide-ranging experience, training, and expert backgrounds in helping parents choose the best approach and support for their children.
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Read more blog posts:
- Are Executive Functioning And ADHD The Same?
- 7 Things Parents Need to Know to Get Their Child with ADHD Help at School
- 10 Tips on How to Help a Child Focus
Handouts:
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⏩What to Look For in Your Child’s ADHD Coach?⏪
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Craig Selinger
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