In Part 1 of How to Hire an ADHD Coach, I discuss the process and resources available for locating and learning the basics about potential ADHD Coaches. In part 2 I discuss what information you should look for and questions you should be ask potential coaches once you have selected a few that appeal to you. (Yes, you have to talk to the prospective coaches!)
You’re ready for ADHD coaching, but don’t know how or whom to hire? First off, strike while the iron is hot. Don’t put it off. When you know you are ready start looking immediately before the notion becomes less immediate for a while again. You know what I am talking about? Right?
Luckily, there are sites that list ADHD coaches and their specialties but before you do that you need to think!
Why do you want an ADHD coach? The answer to that question will make your search more efficient. If you are not sure how ADHD coaching works see my blogs “Abigail Wurf: Why Hire an ADHD Coach?” and “Abigail Wurf: What Happens During an ADHD Coaching Session?”
A good way to hire an ADHD coach is through a personal recommendation from a doctor, therapist, social worker, fellow person affected by ADHD or someone else who knows you. But often that is not possible. The following are the steps to take to find ADHD coaches and what to ask them once you have selected a few. You don’t have to ask every question but I tried to think of every possible issue.
The first step is to go to one of the websites that list ADHD coaches.
www.adhdcoaches.org The ADHD Coaches Organization is a professional organization for ADHD coaches (I think this is the best site because to be a professional member you must have a prescribed minimal level of training) (full disclosure, I am on their board of directors.) The downside of the ACO listing is that it is not large.
www.chadd.org CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder) is the largest ADHD organization and also has a coach listing. There are no criteria to be listed. As with all the listing sites, coaches pay to be listed.
www.add.org ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association) is an organization specifically devoted to adults with ADHD. I have noticed recently that they are expanding to reach out to the college student population.
www.additudemag.com Additude is a quarterly print magazine (at the time of this writing) with a digital weekly magazine. Their website has a resource directory listing coaches. Again, all these listing are paid for. Here, coaches can also pay for highlighted listings. So the highlighted coaches are not necessarily better or worse than the other coaches listed.
There are other listings but these are the most well known. The ADHD coaches are usually listed under “resources” or “support” on the various websites.
Search the listings for the right type of coach for you. If you are interested in seeing a coach in person, rather than by phone or skype, your first criteria probably will be location. If you prefer the phone, skype or there is not a coach in your immediate area, then the first criteria could be what the coach specializes in. Be aware that some coaches regardless of their location may only work over the phone or skype.
Review the possible listings and pick at least 3 coaches.
Go to their websites to learn more about each of the coaches. Remember not to “read a book by its cover.” Look at the information rather than just the design of the website.
Each site will either have a contact link, phone number or both. You will want to talk with each of the minimum of three coaches.
I know it is hard for us to make or return phone calls but it is crucial to talk with each coach to get a feel for them. You need to be able to trust them.
Take notes about each coach you research and talk to so you can make an informed decision.
Part 2 of How to Hire an ADHD Coach provides a list of questions to ask the potential coaches and/or research about them.
And then how to make this potential life changing decision…
Did you go to any of the listing sites? Of the sites you investigated, which did you find most informative? Which site was easiest to navigate? What information do you wish the sites provided that they didn’t?
Abigail Wurf, M.Ed, CLC
ADHD and Executive Functions Coach
Abigail Wurf works with adults, couples and parents affected by ADHD or executive function issues (see definition below) in a coaching and/or consulting capacities. Her clientele also includes college and graduate students struggling to make it through their programs.
She conducts workshops and speaking presentations on executive function issues such as productivity, planning, prioritizing, goal setting, time management, task initiation, emotional regulation, focus, meta-cognition, working memory, self inhibition and flexibility/shift.
Abigail’s work also includes presentations on ADHD, specific executive functions or theories of executive functions, invisible disabilities, resiliency and motivation.