In this episode, Claire is joined by Leanne Maskell ​​to answer the all-important question: What is ADHD coaching? Leanne is an ADHD Coach, Author, and Activist, having presented to the World Health Organization on improving global access to support for ADHD. Previously working in mental health and disability law, Leanne set up ADHD Works to empower as many people as possible to learn about how to make ADHD work for them through courses, talks, and coaching. After being diagnosed with ADHD at age 25, Leanne published 4 books, including her latest book 'ADHD Works at Work' &‘ ADHD: an A to Z’, as featured on Sky News.

Leanne shares her own experience of diagnosis, after which she felt ‘diagnosed and dumped’, with no support available to help her understand what ADHD meant for her. Leanne eventually sought help from an ADHD coach who helped her 'work with her brain rather than against it’, ultimately inspiring Leanne to train as an ADHD coach herself with the ADDCA. Leanne shares some insight into her own style of coaching and now as a teacher of other coaches, especially the importance of kindness and being able to meet the client where they’re at.

Claire and Leanne discuss what makes ADHD coaching different and the benefits coaching can bring for ADHDers - not least having space to speak to someone who gets it and allows you to unmask and be yourself. Leanne shares some of her experiences starting out as an ADHD coach and coaching teenagers, which was rewarding but understandably challenging! Through this experience, Leanne learned the importance of letting people come to their own conclusions and find their own solutions through coaching. She also shares a heartfelt message for parents of ND children and her reasons for recommending parents to get ADHD coaching rather than or as well as their children, partly due to adults having more agency over their own lives but also to help them work through the shame and blame of parenting. If you are considering ADHD coaching for yourself or your child, Leanne shares some helpful tips to support you to find the right coach and to consider why you want coaching and what you want to get out of it.

This episode is a must-listen for parents of ADHD children wanting to understand how coaching could provide valuable support for themselves and their family.

Find out more about Leanne’s work training ADHD coaches through her organisation ADHD works here: https://www.adhdworks.info/ 

Check out her books ADHD: An A to Z and ADHD Works at Work here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ADHD-Works-Work-Leanne-Maskell/dp/B0CK9SY59C

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ADHD-Z-Figuring-Out-Step/dp/1839973854