ADHD Coaching, medication or both? Teen age 17

[Pinkbox]

Hi,

My DD 17 was diagnosed two years ago with the combined form of ADHD. She also has ASD.

At the time she didn’t want to try medication but now she is begging to do so and we have found a provider we are happy with. The GP is going to take over via shared care in the future.

As parents we have a few questions before we go to our first paid consult, primarily whether trying specialist coaching may help with her difficulties instead of starting meds?

Due to severe anxiety she has had several rounds of general counselling in the past but I know coaching is different.

We also wonder how they go about prescribing for someone who has both types of ADHD because to us, hyperactivity needs calming whereas lack of focus and self-organisation needs a boost. Can anyone comment on this please?

We are fully behind meds/coaching/both together but I guess we are trepidatious about the meds and just want to know if coaching by itself is a good start.

If possible, I would go with both. For some, they need to be on meds to be able to engage with coaching.

Medication can still help those with combined type.

^^ this

You can't 'think' your way out of ADHD.

I know the potential side effects sound scary, but the prescriber will keep a really close eye and monitor. They've been life changing for our son.

@2x4greenbrick@AstonScrapingsNameChangeThanks both. Makes sense.

With our son, we started coaching and then added medication. My friend’s son just does coaching, and my niece also does both - medication and coaching. If it’s the right combination for that individual, right medication and the right coach - it can make a world of difference.

Is this online coaching? Really need one for my teen if anyone has a good recommendation ….but we started medication first and this has been a game changer, might take a little while to find the right one but we settled on Elvanse. I know another teen who struggles with anxiety and does get palpitations on meds….this is where the coaching helps her though.

I assume it would be online coaching as that’s what most people seem to offer. Anyway she is very keen to start the meds and then we will add in the coaching when she feels ready. She’s a bit sceptical as she doesn’t think she’s got a lot out of other people giving her strategies etc, she is clear she needs the meds to do some work first.

Hi! Sorry if I'm too late but my wife uses https://adhdmentor-chollywood.com/ and says she is extremely relatable and nice. She is also a social worker and has ADHD herself so has plenty of experience. She's online and easy to book but I think local to Derby.

@jlai928thanks that might be useful when we get that far. Still titrating meds.

Medication has saved my son's life. No exaggeration. I feel terribly guilty I was prejudiced against the meds for a long time but glad we investigated all other options first

We never escape parent guilt do we? Really glad it’s worked for your son. Stimulants caused dreadful side effects for DD so she’s now trying non-stimulants. We (and others) see a difference in her but she says she’s still waiting to notice a useful effect for her studies.