Hello Visitor
Dave turned 70 this year and we have been reflecting on his work as an ADHD Coach for almost 2 and a half decades. That is 10 times the duration he has ever worked for a single employer.
His passion for helping those with ADHD has never waned.
Back in 1999 after finally being diagnosed with ADHD, the notion that a person with ADHD could be ‟coached” to improve their symptoms was other-worldly.
If you were a “Coach” you were usually associated with Sport Teams and your job was to improve physical fitness and sport techniques.
With the recognition of mental health playing a major role in family, business and sport, the role of a Coach has changed significantly.
ADHD is such a complex condition, each person with ADHD is impacted differently depending on the type, severity, parenting and social and economic backgrounds.
ADHD Coaching programmes have to be tailored to suit each client.
Life and Business Coaches for example have very strict boundaries when it comes to clients attending their Coaching Sessions regularly and on time. If they don't, they are charged for missed sessions.
For a long time it drove me crazy seeing Dave sitting at his computer waiting patiently for clients who didn't pitch.
I have ADHD, but time keeping is not a problem for me, so I didn't understand why his clients were so rude and inconsiderate. (I have plenty of my own equally irritating ADHD issues.)
Problems with time, combined with short memory loss and procrastination are very common ADHD traits.
Dave's philosophy is that if you want to inspire change, you need to catch your clients doing good and build a track record of success. Once clients understand their ADHD behaviour and have the tools to change, they look forward to their sessions and are seldom late.
He doesn't let his clients apologise and he doesn't nag them.
Change is a choice and positive encouragment wins every time.
This is why Dave describe his Coaching mission as:
Helping those who live with or alongside ADHD to live a more
contented and productive life.
To achieve this goal:
- We have an in-depth Impairments Assessment to determine accurately where to focus with each client.
- There are more than 35 modules which Dave keeps refining to suit clients needs. Not every client does all the modules.
- Clients initially have one or two 90 minute sessions a week where we work through the modules.
- Our day-starter (quick 10 minutes sessions between 06h15 and 09h30) to get on track for the day or day-ender (10 minute sessions between 16h30 and 18h00) to review successes and failures experienced and how to move forward. These are proving very popular.
- If a client has a crisis Dave or I are available 24/7 and clients don’t abuse this option but are comforted knowing there is someone if needed.
- Once a client has finished the formal coaching they can opt to book a weekly session to hone their business skills. This is a time to share and explore and debate business problems, what is going on in the world and brainstorm solutions. This is a mutually beneficial time.
Whilst I do not actively Coach clients, I have done the ADHD Coaches Programme and continue my own personal ADHD journey which I started in 2006. On a practical level, I do our websites, financie, admin, marketing and write whenever I can.
Seeing our clients change from broken, angry and frustrated people into confident adults with healthy personal, family and business relationships is the greatest reward.
Have a wonderful week.
Kind regards
Pat Pughe-Parry
