ADHD and Executive Function Coach
High School to College Transition + College Students
Benefits of ADHD Coaching
Accountability
Accountability
ADHD coaching enhances
accountability by providing consistent support and encouragement, allowing individuals to set realistic goals and track progress. Coaches ask clients to establish clear steps and deadlines, making it easier to stay on task. This structured approach motivates clients to follow through on their commitments.
Self-Awareness
Self-Awareness
ADHD coaches promote self-awareness by guiding individuals
to reflect on their behaviors, triggers, and strengths. Through discussions and assessments, clients gain insights into how their ADHD affects their daily lives. This increased self-understanding allows them to identify patterns and develop strategies that align with their unique needs and goals.
Motivation
Motivation
ADHD coaches help enhance motivation by breaking down large goals into actionable and manageable steps. Coaches encourage clients to explore their passions and interests, linking them to their responsibilities to foster intrinsic motivation. This supportive relationship also builds confidence, empowering individuals to take initiative and stay engaged.
Independence
Independence
ADHD coaches foster independence
by supporting individuals as they develop strategies to manage their daily lives effectively. Coaches encourage self-reliance by helping clients develop problem-solving skills and create personalized routines. This supportive guidance empowers individuals to take charge of their decisions, building confidence as they navigate challenges on their own.
Self Esteem
Self Esteem
ADHD coaching boosts self-
esteem by encouraging clients to create strategies that highlight their strengths and successes. Coaches create a supportive environment that celebrates progress, helping clients recognize their achievements, no matter how small. As clients learn to navigate challenges and build effective habits, they develop a greater sense of confidence and
self-worth.
Executive Function
Executive Function
ADHD coaching enhances
executive function skills by providing targeted exercises encouraging clients to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks. Coaches support clients as they develop effective routines and time-management techniques that cater to their specific needs. This tailored approach not only improves task completion but also fosters greater self-regulation and decision-making abilities.
Knowledge of ADHD
Knowledge of ADHD
ADHD coaching fosters a deeper understanding and acceptance of ADHD by educating clients about the condition. Coaches help individuals recognize their unique strengths and challenges, reframing ADHD as a different way of being rather than a limitation. This increased awareness encourages self-compassion, enabling clients to embrace their individuality and develop more effective coping strategies.
Goal Achievement
Goal Achievement
Throughout the coaching
relationship, coaches encourage
clients to set goals and reflect on their progress. Clients engage in self-reflection and monitor their advancement, ensuring a personalized approach. Each client has a unique set of goals and develops tailored strategies based on their strengths, values, and learning styles. Periodically, the coach and client evaluate progress together to ensure
the strategies are effective and make. adjustments as needed.
ADHD Coaching for High School Students
ADHD coaching can significantly support high school students as they develop their own personalized strategies to manage time, stay organized, enhance their study skills and to overcome executive function challenges.
Coaches work with students to set achievable goals, develop self-advocacy skills, and build confidence in their abilities. By fostering a collaborative and supportive client-coach partnership, ADHD coaching helps students navigate academic challenges and improve their overall performance in all areas of life, including academics.
This support not only aids in school success but also prepares them for future transitions, whether to college or the workforce.
ADHD Coaching for College Students + High School-to-College Transition
ADHD coaching can be especially beneficial for students transitioning from high school to college. In high school, students with ADHD often rely on parental involvement and the supports and accommodations provided by the school. However, in college, students must advocate for themselves to request these accommodations, which are often more limited than those available in high school. The green box below highlights some of the additional challenges college students encounter, shedding light on why students with ADHD typically have lower GPAs, take longer to graduate, and drop out at higher rates than their peers. For these reasons, ADHD Coaching can be especially effective for college students.
The challenges of managing ADHD symptoms are heightened during the college years. These are some of the factors that converge when students with ADHD enter college:
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Increasing responsibility without the daily parental support that was likely present during high school
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Difficulty accessing ADHD medications and the tendency for many students to discontinue medication in college
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Underutilization of college campus resources and accommodations that may have been helpful in high school
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Irregular sleep and eating patterns
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Inconsistent daily schedules and major schedule changes with each new semester
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Distracting environments, financial pressures, and increased opportunities for social activities
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Prevalence of substance abuse on many college campuses
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Increased stress and anxiety about grades and academic responsibilities
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Underdeveloped understanding of ADHD and perhaps an incomplete acceptance of the ADHD diagnosis
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Often, insufficient experience with self-advocacy and knowing how and where to seek help
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Co-occurring conditions such as depression and anxiety which can make all of the above even more challenging
