by SOAR recently recognized Encouraging Development’s founder Mary Smith as one of its Top 60 Remote ADHD Coaches in the U.S. for Teens & Parents.
SOAR is a non-profit that provides outdoor adventure programs for ADHD and LD students. It runs three different programs throughout the year, including a Gap Year program, summer camp, and accredited boarding school.
The list of remote ADHD coaches was created by SOAR to support those in the ADHD community who may not be able to meet in-person with a coach right now due to the requirements of social distancing.
Selection Criteria
In choosing coaches for the list, SOAR used the following criteria:
- Coaches have been vetted by the ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO), the ADD Association (ADDA), or another reputable ADHD organization, or the coach has been personally vetted by the SOAR team
- Coaches are available to work remotely
- Coaches have demonstrated a commitment to helping people of various ages—and especially parents and teens—with ADHD/ADD to live better, more fulfilling lives
Mary Smith’s Commitment to ADHD Coaching
In addition to the criteria listed above, Mary was chosen for SOAR’s list of top remote ADHD coaches because the SOAR team was impressed by her personal journey.
Diagnosed with ADHD herself late in life, at the age of 35, Mary has learned how to live and thrive with a condition that many find debilitating. Not only that, she has taken the lessons she learned for herself and translated them into practices for others living with ADHD, which she imparts through her coaching.
SOAR was inspired by her story, and wanted to recognize her accomplishments by including her in its list of top remote ADHD coaches.
How to Find a Good ADHD Coach—3 Things You Should Do
Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for an ADHD coach (or any coach, for that matter):
1. Is It a Good Fit?
One of the most important factors when looking for an ADHD coach is whether the two of you click.
The success of a coach often comes down to the power of the relationship between the coach and the person being coached, so it’s important for there to be a strong connection between the two people.
When you start out looking for a coach, it’s a good idea to ask for a short interview so you can see whether a particular coach might be a good fit.
It’s also important to keep in mind that coaching is a two way street—in order for a coach to be successful, the person being coached has to be open to doing the work required for change, which means showing up for each coaching session with an open mind, ready to work and grow.
2. Training, Credentials, and Experience
It’s also important to consider a coach’s experience and training.
Although there isn’t a single universally recognized certification for ADHD coaching, there are some key things you can look for, including whether the coach has been trained by a recognized ADHD organization like the CHADD, ADDA, or ACO, and how many years of experience the coach has working with ADHD clients.
You can also look for whether the coach has been vetted by one of the organizations we just listed by searching for him or her on their websites to see if they’re listed on the site’s directory of coaches.
Being included in one of these directories is a good indication that the coach has met the criteria required by that particular organization for inclusion in their list of recommended coaches.
3. Ask for References
Don’t be afraid to ask to speak to one or two of a coach’s clients as references.
Speaking to people who are already working with a coach is a great way to gauge whether that coach may be a good fit for you.
Want to learn more about what ADHD coaching can do for you? Reach out and set up some time to talk to Mary right now!
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