ADHD coaching - thoughts?

[bubblicious353]

Hi, (I posted this in ND Mumsnetters too, but noticed it doesn't appear in Active, so re-posting here for traffic)
I've name changed for this as it's very identifying. I'm currently training to be an ADHD coach and I'm finding it fascinating. But I'm not sure who my clients will be as I don't actually know many ND adults (I don't plan to work with children) and I'm not much of a self-promoting type. I wondered if I could do some research here to find out what people know about ADHD coaching and what more they might like to know. So if anyone would mind answering the following questions I'd be really grateful.
A) have you heard of ADHD coaching and do you know what it entails?
B) have you heard of Access to work? Did you know it is a free government funded scheme that can help with all kinds of support (including) coaching which may help you to succeed at work?
C) would you find it helpful if someone helped you to apply for Access to Work support?
D) any other questions!
Thanks so much in advance for any responses.

I think this raises an important point as well, other conditions that people may have. For example, many people with ADHD are also diagnosed autistic. So certain strategies may not work. Anyone working with people with ADHD for a salary would need to understand other conditions/disabilities and how they affect and impact each other.

I think PP means ‘many people with ADHD’. Obviously not every single person is affected in the same way. Dopamine-seeking is common in those with ADHD.

Our training covers the fact that there are several co-morbidities with ADHD including autism, and ways to approach that.
I'm glad I asked for opinions as I thought I would meet a lot of resistance and cynicism, as I have. But also some people who are keen to try.
I would be wanting to help people to access funding so not putting them out of pocket personally. Potentially offering discounted services for people without funding. Given the lack of access to MH services/NHS waiting lists/medication shortages etc creating a crisis situation for a lot of people, I hope to offer a small glimmer of hope.
I feel the negativity out there is what puts me off promoting myself on social media but I will have to become more resilient. Sadly there is no magic wand available, but someone rooting for you, supporting you, keeping you accountable and making you feel less alone is a start, right?

Indeed. Mine comes from driving (very) fast cars.

We would definitely have paid for this for DS (23) to help him get back to University and get through his deadlines. He would probably have refused! But, we searched high and low anyway so I am very pleased to know this exists.

That's really unfair and unhelpful. Coaching isn't meant to "solve" ADHD. It's to help the person find self management strategies to function as they want / need to.

I have ADHD coaching through Access to Work, so it's fully funded. My coach has ADHD and autism.
I don't find it easy, but i am really surprised at the negativity on this thread. No one is going to solve all our issues or "cure" our ADHD. Many of you may already have lots of strategies that you use to get you through life but many of us don't. Or we know what we are supposed to do but struggle to put it into practice. The coaching gives you time and space to look at your specific challenges and needs and the best way to try and manage them. It also helps with self esteem, to see that you're not abnormal, you're just wired differently to others.

I would really like to see some kind of training accreditations for this kind of thing. I do think you sound like you get it OP so the course you've done is likely a good one. I do still remain sceptical of this kind of thing in general (sorry!) even though I actually think done well, it could be absolutely invaluable.

You keep saying you feel self conscious about social media, but social media is actually where I tend to go to get an idea of what someone is like. If they are all very generic and "Yay ADHD coaching, hire me, special offer!" then it would put me off. If you spend the time posting stuff like real tips/strategies that you've used with someone, or snippets explaining aspects of ADHD, or (obviously with permission) insights from a real coaching session then I'd be much more likely to follow, partly for the passive tips, and partly because it would make me think yeah OK, this person really gets it - and then I'd be more likely to look at your business if I was in the position of wanting 1-2-1 coaching, or recommend it to others.

So I'd probably encourage you to take the plunge and go for it on social media if you think you can cope with the inevitable dissenters.

Honestly adhd coaching is alot of rubbish. I'm adhd diagnosed and medicated, I'm also highly intelligent as most of us do appear to be and all the ads and info I've seen on adhd seems so patronising and the language used childish, set alarms, make lists yada yada. We all do that.... when our brain remembers. Adhd coaching is the new slimming world, all excited because its going to change your life, you invest fully, you absolutely hyperfocus on it as its something new that's going to fix you and you will finally feel better, until it becomes too much effort then boring then just another book in a draw and you beat yourself up because you can't do anything right your broken and just want to be *normal. Then you see the ad for weight watchers and there goes that dopamine hit again, same story different book. Cycle repeats medicated or not.

@Sprinkles211 how patronising.
Please tell me, what do you recommend in terms of support for those who have ADHD who despite being highly intelligent are at the risk of our lives falling apart every day?

I have an adhd coach through A2W - to be honest it's mostly stuff I could look up myself or learn about as others have said

Also agree it's either hyperfocus or back to how you naturally do things

I've found the additude website and YouTube to be the most helpful resources, as well as a few books and then picking and choosing things to try and implement

With A2W it's generally focused around your job not your wider life too, so it's not a fully rounded approach. And it's okay, she's nice enough but I wouldn't say I feel close to her or trust her enough to open up with things. Sometimes she gets my back up with being quite direct with comments or constructive criticism which can be hard when you're not looking for it too

There are also good groups online with other likeminded individuals for support and advice, as well as telling you when you are being wrong about something.. I've found them invaluable and a lot more helpful than my coaching to be honest

Maybe we could share here things that have helped us though, so others can try to implement some of these things, if they want

How do you train to be a specific ADHD coach?

@themusingsofaninsomniac i think that’s a great idea. Maybe he need a separate thread, bit on an ADHD support group.

I can't take the methylphenidate due to side effects and the other medication is too expensive.

@WillowBarkTree may I ask how you found the psychologist? Am considering coaching but also aware of what you describe

This is very similar to therapy or at least CBT, tbh

@OneMoreTime23 may I ask how you found your coach? Am considering it myself- finding a coach

I would love to know if I have ADHD. My son brought it to my attention a few weeks ago and Iit really does resonate with me and my life.

Oh wow I never knew there was a ND mumsnetters topic! Think that will be my new hang out spot!

Hey I hope you are well. Is this opportunity still available? I’m definitely open to trying this

I agree with supporting teens and young adults. This time of life can be so overwhelming and confusing

This makes me laugh, the access to work grant comes from tax payers money, so anyone that gets a grant is contributing towards paying for their own support, and those that provide support such as being a ADHD coach are receiving money from ATW and are also paying towards their own wage!

Although ADHD coaching can be funded through ATW (tax payers), the issue with ADHD coaches is that there’s no regulations or formal qualifications required to practice as an ADHD coach, whereas in the NHS (also funded by tax payers) qualifications regulations are required.

This means anyone can call themselves an ‘ADHD Coach’ and in a lot of case this can cause more harm than good.

Another issue is if someone providing ADHD coaching (basically providing a service) offers to apply on the persons behalf that is very worrying as it’s a conflict of interest as you’re offering a service and trying to gain business.

there is a real need for support for neuodiverse people, however coaching and diagnostic service providers
has stemmed from a broken NHS..:

I'd advise you look for a BACP registered counsellor with lived experience of ADHD.
ADHD coaches aren't generally qualified in anything

Oh my giddy aunt we now have ADHD coaches cos well lets face it we need to be coached in how to deal with the people we are.

Why was this thread resurected?