ADHD Coaching FAQs

Here’s where to get all of your questions about ADHD coaching answered. You can read the whole section, or click on a link to jump to your specific question.

Answers include:

What is ADHD coaching?

Everyone knows a coach when they see one. There are football coaches, tennis coaches, dance coaches, voice coaches and executive coaches. And for the daily challenge of life itself there are life coaches. Put simply, a life coach helps people meet the challenges and opportunities life presents. An ADHD coach is a life coach who is specialized in the unique challenges of ADHD.

ADHD coaching works the same way as an athletic coach, only the game is life. Your ADHD coach will work with you on the skills you may be missing and your game strategy. Over time you will get better at all the things that are hard for you right now. Things like planning, prioritizing, time management, and organization. Your Edge ADHD coach will also help you apply these new skills to achieving the things you want most. Check out some of our testimonials to hear how ADHD coaching has helped real students achieve their goals.

People all over the world are recognizing the benefits of life coaching in their pursuit of career and life goals. Many CEOs and top business executives find that executive coaches can give them the edge necessary to manage successfully and effectively when the stakes are very high.

At the Edge Foundation we believe that if a coach is good enough for CEOs, then it is good enough for our young people who are learning to succeed with ADHD.

How does an ADHD coach help?

Coaching is particularly well-suited to helping people with ADHD live better with the challenges of this disorder. Many of the strategies ADHD coaches offer are precisely the ones that are needed most. When self management, time management, and organization don’t come naturally, an Edge ADHD coach can help you develop these skills. In addition, the focused and personalized one-on-one approach of coaching works really well for young people with ADHD.

Professional ADHD coaching is not a substitute for traditional treatment for ADHD such as medication and therapy. But at the Edge Foundation we believe it is a critical and highly effective support mechanism for young people to learn to live well with the challenges of ADHD.

Here are seven major ADHD challenge areas that most ADHD coaches work on with their clients:

scheduling,
goal setting,
confidence building,
organizing,
focusing,
prioritizing, and
persisting at tasks.

What happens in an Edge ADHD coaching session?

Getting started: The Edge ADHD Coaching Program starts with a get-to-know you chat. These chats are free and take about 20 minutes. In this call, we’ll answer your questions, get a sense of whether or not you’ll benefit from ADHD coaching and make sure you understand the general terms and conditions of working with an ADHD coach. Once you and your coach have decided to proceed, you sign a contract and begin.

Intake session: The first session is a lengthy one and is sometimes called the intake session. During this discussion that usually lasts about two hours, you and your coach talk about what’s working and what’s not, what’s frustrating, and where you’d like to see progress. If you are under 18 years of age, your parents will participate in some of it. By the end of this session you and your coach will know what you are going to be working on and how you are going to work on it.

Weekly check-ins: After you’ve completed the intake session, you begin weekly 30-minute sessions with additional check-ins in between. Check-ins are usually preplanned and can happen as often as daily. Most students choose to suspend ADHD coaching during exams and holidays, but we strongly encourage you not to go more than two weeks without a session or at least a check-in.

How long do I need an ADHD coach?

The Edge program is designed to last for up to 36 weeks, basically one 30-minute session for every week of a nine month academic school year. Although the coaching contracts are month-to-month, we strongly encourage you to stay with coaching for two full school terms. The first term, you’re just learning the skills. The second term you’re learning how to apply them on your own with the support of your Edge ADHD coach. By the end of the second term, most students have internalized what they’ve learned and are ready to graduate from coaching! If you want to keep coaching, however, your coach will be happy to work something out with you.

Why do Edge ADHD coaches work by phone?

For many people the idea of working on the phone, instead of meeting in an office, is just strange. Although there is no prohibition against meeting in person, all of Edge ADHD coaches are trained to work on the phone. We do this for several reasons:

Using the phone takes transportation issues right out of the equation. You can get to your appointment just by picking up the phone – it’s a lot easier to be on time for your appointments!
There are just not that many ADHD Coaches. By working on the phone, you still have access to coaching, even if there isn’t an ADHD coach in your community. And, you can “take your coach with you” where ever you go.
A 30-minute appointment takes exactly 30 minutes. No commuting to and from the appointment, or waiting in the waiting room. Coaching appointments are therefore easy to fit into a busy schedule.
A coach and client can stay in much closer touch through the phone and email than they can if they only connected in an office. It is this extra contact that very often makes the difference in being able to stay on task and follow through.

You can also meet with your ADHD coach on Skype!

What do I need to know to select an ADHD coach?

Coaching is a partnership in which you and your coach define your goals and plan how to achieve those goals. You provide the goals — the coach provides structure, support and accountability. When selecting an ADHD coach look for someone who :

Is certified through a reputable program that involves ADHD coach training geared toward young people.
Understands the unique challenges you face with your ADHD in a school environment and in your life.
Is flexible and one you feel comfortable with (this is not a decision for your parents to make – the coach is working with you!).
Offers the option of working by phone/Skype or in person if necessary.
Is comfortable working, as needed, in coordination with your therapist, tutor, faculty advisor or other professionals for your best interest.

A good ADHD coach will help you identify and gravitate towards your strengths, while navigating around your weaknesses. Working with the right coach you soon find you’re stronger at advocating for yourself and your stress is dramatically reduced because you are on track and following a plan.

Does ADHD coaching happen during school exams and vacations?

It is your choice. Coaching may be suspended over exam periods, but oftentimes coaching support is most valuable during these busy, high stress times. Most students suspend ADHD coaching during school vacations and holidays. If you start coaching in the middle of the year, you may take the summer off and complete your second semester of coaching in the fall. Even though we encourage a nine-month commitment for optimal results, you can just try it for a month and see if coaching works for you.

How much does ADHD coaching cost?

By now it’s probably clear that working with a personal coach is unlike anything else you’ve ever tried. Because of the additional check-ins in between sessions, working with your ADHD coach isn’t just a once-a-week thing: the interactions support you all week long.

Intake Session Fee: The fee for the initial session, including the set up time plus the full two-hour intake plus a complete review of client data, is $400. The time and effort involved in conducting the intake is four times as much as for the weekly session, so it’s four times as much. It’s that simple.

Monthly ADHD Coaching Fee: The fee for the ADHD coaching, for the full, ongoing support of your Edge-trained coach including the regular 30-minute coaching session, up to daily check-ins between sessions, and additional resources as needed, is $400 per month ($100/week). Coaching progress happens over time, so consider this a month to month process toward success.

It’s less than $15/day to get you back on track and give you the tools you need to succeed long term.

Compare the above to some common (costly) things that definitely won’t help you succeed:

A daily Starbucks habit (sugar and caffeine are not the best way to stay alert–your ADHD coach can help you develop healthier habits);
A few bounced checks or credit card problems (your coach can help you manage your money and avoid these problems);
A speeding ticket or parking ticket or fender bender, and the increased insurance premiums that will result (your coach can help educate you about the issues ADHD teens face when driving and encourage safe driving habits); and
Failing a class (there goes that tuition! Your coach can help you stay on track so you won’t fail — you’ll do well.

What steps do I need to take to get an Edge ADHD coach?

Learn more

The first step to getting an ADHD coach is to complete the Get More Information Form or call us at 1-888-718-8886. We’ll contact you the next business day to give you more information about how coaching can help you in your life.

The Edge Foundation has recruited and trained some of the best coaches in the profession. If you choose an Edge ADHD Coach you know you are getting a seasoned life coach who is specially trained in working with teens and young adults with ADHD, someone who has been trained and mentored in this unique coaching specialty. Because of this, our coaches are our most valuable resource.

Involve your parents (or not)

If you are under 18 years of age, your parent will participate in all phases of the application process but you make the final decision when selecting an ADHD coach. For students 18 years and older, it is expected that the student take the initiative for selecting his or her own coach and that the parents take a supportive but secondary role.

Apply for a coach match

When you’re ready to get your own ADHD coach, these are the steps to take:

Click the “Get a Coach” button at the top of the page and complete the online application.
The Program Administrator will contact you (by phone) to gather information we need to match you with a coach:
She’ll ask about your coaching needs and explain the fee structure.
If there are financial challenges, a sliding scale fee may be arranged.
She’ll find out your preferences in a coach. For example do you prefer a male or female coach or want to try video (Skype) coaching?
If you are a parent applying for your child, the Program Administrator, after talking to you, will contact the student to see if she or he is on board and open to working with a coach. It is crucial for coaching success that the student is willing and able to work with a coach.

Meet your ADHD coach

After considering everything we have learned about you and your preferences, the Program Administrator will recommend a coach for you to consider.

The Program Administrator will supply you (and your parent if you are under 18 and parents of students over 18 at the student’s request), and the coach with each other’s contact information. (You’ll have a chance to review your coach’s bio before talking to him or her the first time.)
The coach will contact the student and set up a time for an interview. This is the time for the student to ask questions and interview the coach to determine it’s a good match.
During the conversation it will become clear: whether a comfortable connection can be made, and whether coaching would be beneficial for you.
If, after speaking with the selected coach, you want to speak with another coach, contact the Program Administrator and another connection will be made. The process will be repeated until a good match is made for you.
As a courtesy, the coach will call your parent (if the student is under 18) after your interview and answer any of the parent’s questions and concerns.

Begin ADHD coaching

Once an ADHD coach has been selected, the student and the parent (if the student is under 18) and the coach will sign a month-to-month contract, and coaching commences.
Payment for coaching services is pre-paid monthly and will be made directly to your coach at the beginning of each month.
At any time if there are questions or concerns, the Program Administrator and the coach are available to help the student and the parent.

How old do you have to be to have an ADHD coach?

Coaching readiness is not based solely on chronological age. Most children under the age of 14, especially those with ADHD and learning issues, are not emotionally ready to take on the responsibility and accountability required in a coaching relationship without parental assistance. At Edge, our coaches are trained to coach youth who are ready to develop skills and strategies for life, independent from their parents.

Elementary and middle school children need to be coached in person and the parents are an integral part of the coaching process. Edge coaches typically work by phone and parents are not involved. For this reason we recommend that you start with your pediatrician or school to get referrals for a behavior specialist or an academic coach who works in person with a child who is not ready for independent coaching.

How does the Edge ADHD coach match-making process work?

Start by completing the Sign Up form. Don’t worry, if the form look intimidating or asks you questions you aren’t ready to answer. You can always give Denise, our ADHD Coach Match maker, a call to get your questions answered.

We ask you questions because we want to find out as much as we can about your specific needs. Many people with ADHD, for example, have other issues they need addressed – like dyslexia, anxiety or depression. The more information you provide us about your specific background and needs, the better the match Denise will be able to make.

Don’t worry, all the information you provide to us is confidential and won’t be shared with anyone without your permission.

If your parents are involved, we’ll also talk to them – with your permission of course – because they probably know you better than anyone else than you.

An ADHD coach suited to your needs and situation

After Denise has gathered all of the available information about what you are looking for, she’ll make a Coach Match. She’ll send you background information about an ADHD coach picked specially for you. You’ll also be provided her contact information. Before you agree to working with an ADHD coach, you’ll have an opportunity to interview with him. You’ll have a chance to get to know the person a bit and see if he feels comfortable. If you think the match is a good fit, you’re done. If you want to interview other coaches, Denise will help you with that.

We want to make it as painless as possible

Denise knows each one of our coaches well and strives to make it easy for you by making a good match for you the first time.

Some people are overwhelmed by the idea of interviewing coaches and ask us to pick someone for them. We can do that. Other people want to interview several coaches to get a better feel for the differences between them. We can do that too.

We have dozens of talented, well-trained, and experienced coaches for you to work with. We are commited to finding an ADHD coach suited to your need and confident that you’ll find a good match at Edge.

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