What I've learnt coaching individuals with ADHD

Working with clients who have ADHD has been a real eye-opener. ADHD doesn’t create brand new problems – it often makes the everyday challenges we all face a lot harder. Whether it’s struggling at work or managing relationships, ADHD amplifies these difficulties, making it tough to stay on track. Over the years, I’ve found that a holistic, compassionate, and consistent approach works best. Here’s what I’ve learned.

ADHD magnifies everyday challenges

People with ADHD don’t deal with entirely new problems – they just deal with them more intensely. Struggles like managing time, staying organised, and navigating relationships are common for everyone, but for someone with ADHD, they can feel overwhelming. Work tasks might pile up because of difficulty focusing, or relationship issues might snowball due to impulsive reactions or forgetfulness. ADHD often takes regular challenges and turns the volume up.

A holistic approach works best

One big thing I’ve learned is that a person’s life doesn’t exist in neat little boxes. If you’re overwhelmed at work, it’ll probably affect your personal life too – and vice versa. For people with ADHD, this overlap is even stronger. Our brains don’t separate work problems from personal ones, so why should coaching? I work with clients as whole people, not just isolated segments. Instead of just focusing on work or relationships, we look at how everything connects. This approach helps them create lasting changes that fit into their entire life, not just one area.

Accountability is a game-changer

Accountability is a huge part of coaching, especially for clients with ADHD. Staying focused and following through on tasks is hard for anyone, but ADHD can make it even more difficult. That’s why we set one or two key priorities each week, and I help clients stay focused on those goals. Knowing that I’m going to check in and keep them on track makes it easier for them to follow through. It’s not about adding pressure, but about offering the right kind of support to make sure they stay on course.

Compassion is essential

Clients with ADHD often feel frustrated with themselves for not being able to stay on task or make progress as quickly as they’d like. They’re often harder on themselves than anyone else would be. That’s where compassion comes in. I help my clients understand that ADHD is part of how their brain works, not a personal failure. We work on shifting from self-criticism to self-compassion, understanding that setbacks are part of the process, not a reason to give up.

Staying focused is a long-term journey

One thing I’ve learned is that working with clients who have ADHD is usually a long-term process. It’s not about quick fixes – it’s about building habits that last. Change takes time, and while we might see quick wins, the real progress happens over the long haul. ADHD can make it easy to get distracted or lose focus between sessions, but that’s where coaching steps in to help. If clients feel like they’re slipping, they know they can reach out. Whether it’s a reminder or a little guidance, I'm there to help them get back on track.

Change is possible

Working with clients with ADHD can have really impactful results but it takes time and consistent effort on the part of the coach and the client. It can feel hard and challenging but that's partly what happens with change. A coach can help a client with ADHD face the challenge and navigate through it but it takes effort and patience.

The bottom line

Coaching clients with ADHD has taught me that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. By taking a holistic view, offering compassionate support, and keeping accountability at the centre, we’re able to tackle challenges in a way that sticks. ADHD might make things more difficult, but with the right support, clients can overcome those challenges and make lasting progress in their lives.