Written by Craig Marsh & Isabella Kaminska, ADHD Coach
Craig & Isabella are ADHD coaches educated by a lifetime of ADHD and the ADD Coach Academy. Through the company that they started, The ADHD Company and their group of coaches, they help people struggling with ADHD.
Many women with ADHD find their medication less effective at certain times of the month. This isn’t just anecdotal; emerging research links hormonal fluctuations, especially changes in estrogen levels, to shifts in how the brain responds to ADHD medication. Understanding these connections can empower women to advocate for more personalized treatment strategies that work with their bodies, not against them.
Origins of coaching
Coaching as we know it today began taking shape in the late 20th century, drawing inspiration from sports coaching, psychology, and business consulting. By 1995, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) had been founded to establish guidelines and ethical standards for the profession. Over time, coaching subfields emerged, including ADHD coaching, which helps individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder address unique challenges related to organization, focus, and follow-through.
What is ADHD coaching?
ADHD coaching is a goal-oriented process in which a trained coach works closely with a client to develop strategies that mitigate ADHD symptoms, such as distractibility, impulsiveness, and disorganization, while leveraging positive traits like creativity and high energy. Key components include structured support, ongoing accountability, and a strengths-based viewpoint. Clients often learn to break down large tasks, set realistic timelines, use reminders effectively, and cultivate daily routines that align with their goals.
Research and publicly available sources supporting ADHD coaching
While many peer-reviewed studies on ADHD coaching sit behind academic paywalls, free resources highlight outcomes and best practices.
Edge Foundation ADHD coaching report
What it is: The Edge Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides coaching for students with ADHD. They have sponsored research exploring the impact of coaching on academic performance and self-regulation.
Access: Coaching Research
Key takeaway: Findings suggest that students receiving regular coaching sessions show improvements in executive function skills, task completion, and overall academic engagement.
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Resource: Coaching overview and fact sheets
Access: ADHD coaching and ADHD Fact Sheets
Key takeaway: CHADD offers extensive information on how coaching supports individuals with ADHD, including fact sheets covering topics like executive functioning, time management, and academic success.
ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association)
Resource: ADHD coaching overview
Key takeaway: ADDA explains the role of an ADHD coach, outlines benefits, and offers questions for prospective coaching clients to ask before hiring a coach.
ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO)
Resource: About ADHD coaching
Access: About ADHD Coaching
Key takeaway: ACO provides an overview of ADHD coaching, including how it differs from therapy, ways in which coaches can help, and resources for training and certification.
ICF vs. PAAC (Professional Association of ADHD Coaches)
ICF
The International Coaching Federation establishes broad competencies for coaching practice worldwide, covering areas such as ethics, trust-building, effective communication, and powerful questioning. However, it does not require ADHD-specific training or expertise. Coaches with an ICF credential have met universal coaching standards, but individuals seeking ADHD-focused guidance should verify whether the coach has additional training or certification in ADHD.
PAAC
The Professional Association of ADHD Coaches goes beyond ICF’s general framework by adding specialized criteria for ADHD coaching. PAAC-certified coaches must master both universal coaching competencies and ADHD-specific knowledge. This includes understanding executive function deficits, emotional regulation strategies, and the neurological underpinnings of ADHD. As a result, PAAC certification ensures deep expertise in ADHD-related challenges, in addition to foundational coaching skills.
How is ADHD coaching different from therapy?
Therapy often addresses past trauma, mental health diagnoses, or unresolved emotional issues.
ADHD coaching emphasizes strategic, practical solutions in the present moment, implementing task management, accountability check-ins, and habit-building techniques.
The two can work hand in hand. For instance, a therapist might help someone unpack emotional barriers, while a coach helps them establish a time-blocking system to manage daily tasks.
Core elements of ADHD coaching
Structured support
ADHD coaches introduce organizational tools, ranging from digital apps to physical planners, and help clients stay consistent through reminders, feedback, and regular sessions.
Strengths-based focus
Clients learn to see ADHD not just as a challenge but also as a source of unique talents, such as creativity, the ability to hyperfocus, and quick problem-solving when engaged in topics of high interest.
Skill-building
Coaches teach methods to improve executive functions, such as breaking tasks into manageable steps, using visual prompts, and scheduling transition times between activities.
Collaborative goal-setting
Goals originate from what the client deems meaningful, whether it be academic performance, career progression, or healthy relationships. Coaches facilitate a roadmap that aligns with these objectives.
Ongoing accountability
By checking on progress at each session, a coach helps clients pivot swiftly when strategies fall short, turning stumbles into learning opportunities.
Who can benefit from ADHD coaching?
Students wanting to balance coursework, extracurriculars, and life responsibilities.
Professionals needing better focus, organization, and productivity in fast-paced or detail-oriented roles.
Entrepreneurs and creatives seeking structure to complement their idea generation and spontaneity.
Parents and couples hoping to improve communication and manage household tasks with greater ease.
Individuals struggling with day-to-day tasks, emotional overwhelm, or difficulty establishing effective routines who need tailored ADHD strategies and support.
The transformative impact
From improved punctuality and task completion to bolstered self-esteem, clients often report that coaching creates a sense of ownership and clarity in everyday life. By embracing individualized structures and building upon inherent strengths, many people find they can channel ADHD-related traits effectively, reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being.
Moving forward
If you or someone close to you is exploring ADHD coaching, here are the next steps:
Review publicly available reports
Read the Edge Foundation’s research summaries or the free fact sheets from CHADD, ADDA, and ACO to get a feel for coaching’s benefits.
Seek referrals
Ask healthcare providers, therapists, or ADHD support networks for coach recommendations.
Check credentials
Confirm whether a prospective coach holds an ICF credential or a specialized ADHD certification such as PAAC. This ensures both general coaching excellence and ADHD-specific knowledge.
Define your objectives
Think about what you hope to change, staying on task, reducing clutter, or communicating more effectively, so you and your coach can pinpoint specific goals.
Conclusion
ADHD coaching revolves around a simple principle: with the right tools and a supportive partnership, individuals can transform what once felt like insurmountable hurdles into navigable, even inspiring, challenges. Backed by publicly accessible reports and bolstered by major ADHD-focused organizations, coaching stands out as a practical, future-focused intervention that reimagines ADHD traits as pathways to growth. By blending accountability and empathy, ADHD coaches empower clients to rewrite their narratives, proving that success is not just possible but well within reach.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Read more from Craig Marsh & Isabella Kaminska
Craig Marsh & Isabella Kaminska, ADHD Coach
Craig Marsh and Isabella Kaminska are ADHD coaches and partners at The ADHD Company. Founded in 2022 by Craig, The ADHD Company specializes in helping individuals with ADHD overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and embrace their unique strengths. Together, Craig and Isabella lead a team of coaches dedicated to empowering clients with tools, education, and personalized strategies to transform their lives.
