How coaching can adapt to ADHD clients
Everyone is unique in their own way, so being able to adjust to other people's differences is something that's a pillar of a professional coaching practice. This approach has allowed me to work effectively with clients who have ADHD, whether or not they've had an official diagnosis, and I know that other coaches work similarly. Whether or not a coach has been directly trained in how to work with people who have ADHD, their empathic nature can be a benefit when working with this type of individual, as it helps them to understand the complexities of a client quite quickly.

ADHD strengths
1. One of the biggest strengths that coaches share with people who have ADHD is intuition, and the ability to think outside the box. Personally, this way of being allowed a close family member and I the freedom to explore new opportunities, while I could also offer the support and encouragement to let these adventures take their course with safety. This combination is something that can work in alignment with an ADHD client who has a high level of creativity.
2. Another trait that's commonly obvious in people with ADHD is their ability to hyperfocus on a specific subject or several subjects. As long as no harm is being caused to anyone, this trait can be extremely helpful to refine certain skills related to the relevant interest. This certainly aligns with the common belief that true expertise comes from 10,000 hours of practice dedicated to one specific endeavour. These hours don't necessarily have to be continuous though, and I'll come back to this later on.
3. The next behaviour is one that I've found boosts my own sense of happiness when I'm around someone with ADHD, and that is their high energy. Even if I personally don't have an equal amount of energy, my empathy as a coach allows me to guide someone to use their energy for productive purposes, making an effective use of that ability which could sometimes get a bit random or erratic if not directed accordingly.
4. Building on their ability to think outside the box, being very adaptable to new scenarios is another great trait of those with ADHD. This can help people move through life without a fear of change, or of unfamiliar situations, instead they tend to jump in feet first. This adaptability requires a certain amount of continued novel experiences, which can be built into a coaching programme to suit each individual.
Even though those with ADHD can struggle to maintain their focus, a key part of a solid coaching practice is the continued versatility of any tasks agreed with the client for progress. Instead of programming repeating tasks with these clients, which could quickly feel boring and therefore become unproductive, a varying amount of alternatives can be agreed upon, including some allowance to go off-piste if needed.
Part of the discussions in coaching sessions would be focussed on time management, and how this manifests in each person, so a potential solution to this can be figured out, which will possibly need to be adjusted a few times until a strategy that works is eventually found.
This is how a coach could help a client with ADHD to structure their moments of hyperfocus into that aforementioned 10,000 hours. Being able to get a client to a place where they feel empowered to make progress, is a vital part of the overarching plan to make a change.
ADHD trouble spots
1. The unplanned impulsivity of some people who have ADHD is almost expected, so those situations can be preempted by making a plan for how that might appear, and then strategising accordingly to either reduce its impact or not remove it entirely.
2. Whether or not a person with ADHD is taking any medication from a professional to help them, they might still occasionally struggle with emotional regulation. Even though this behaviour can also appear in people not diagnosed with this difference, it tends to be more exaggerated in some with ADHD.
This can be approached in several ways depending on the individual, as there's certainly not a one-size-fits-all method. Using a coach's innate empathic nature, and as a person in general, they will adapt to whatever the client needs, which could be a complete distraction, some dedicated time for listening and understanding, some tough love, something else, or a bespoke combination of all of the above.
A common trait I personally observed in young people who had ADHD was their forgetfulness and inability to organise themselves. This can be such an important aspect to work around for some students, and it can also be a significant challenge for adults with ADHD.
In today's world, there are various technological advancements we can use to help people, with or without ADHD, to keep themselves on track with their agreed actions for progress, from alarms to calendars, or some kind of hybrid option.
A coach and client will work together to figure out what could be most effective for each person. Again, it's not a one-size-fits-all-all circumstance, so an individualised solution will be found that works for you.
Whatever a client's situation is when they begin their coaching journey, ADHD or not, a coach will do their best to meet them where they're at, adapting their journey together on the basis of who they are, rather than stereotyping someone based on their diagnosis. There's always something a coach can learn from every client, regardless of what makes them unique, so that they can embrace life's rich tapestry.
