I’m honored to have been a guest on “The Coach’s Circle Podcast” from Life Coach Path which aired on September 28. The interviewer, Brandon Baker, graciously invited me to speak on a few topics I’m well acquainted with, including ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in kids and coaching and therapy for both adults and children with ADHD.
You can listen to the podcast here:
I’ll summarize a few key points from the podcast:
1. ADHD can often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed – especially in girls, sometimes until early adulthood or adulthood.
As you may know, ADHD is classified by types. The three types of ADHD are 1) inattentive; 2) hyperactive-impulsive; and 3) combined. Boys often present as hyperactive, while many girls behave well, but daydream or get distracted easily. Girls with ADHD tend to internalize rather than externalize. As such, they may be misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. With any misdiagnosis, the treatment(s) will likely not address the root issues. Because of this, I’ve had many young women come to my practice who have spent much of their lives feeling misunderstood – which, as you can imagine, takes a toll on her self-esteem.
2. Many people with ADHD have other disorders as well.
It’s not uncommon for a person with ADHD to also suffer from anxiety, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), or depression. This underscores the necessity of proper intake and testing procedures.
3. The process for diagnosing ADHD is very nuanced and comprehensive.
There’s no one “test” to determine if a person has ADHD. I conduct several thorough assessments, taking into account a number of factors such as:
- developmental history
- educational history
- symptoms
- memory
- cognition
- executive functioning
- IQ
- and more
From there, I take an investigative approach, putting the puzzle pieces together and “teasing apart” the different layers of what could be happening: anxiety, ADHD, executive functioning weakness, learning disability, etc.
4. Both therapy and coaching are useful tools for individuals with ADHD.
I believe that in order to be successful in this profession, it’s crucial to be open and flexible. Obviously you need to have the training and tools and theories, but you must be able to adjust according to each client’s needs. Everyone is different, so being rigid or set in one’s ways does not serve the best interests of the client.
I try to meet all my clients where they are: whatever they need is the approach I will take. I like to pull from different schools of thought and use both CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) as well as coaching in my practice.
About “The Coach’s Circle” Podcast:
The Coach’s Circle Podcast is brought to you by Life Coach Path, an online resource for anyone who wants to learn more about turning their passion for helping others into a career as a coach. Their blog is full of valuable information on topics like coach training, becoming an entrepreneur, and real-world interviews with coaches who are making it happen every day.
from lifecoachpath.com