Parent Executive Function + ADHD Coaching
You Need Support Too
When you are the parent of a child with a ‘differently wired’ brain, it can feel exhausting and full of judgment at times. That may be why you are here. It can also feel amazing – your child may be full of wonderment, ideas and energy! How do you use those strengths and that energy to move forward in positive ways? How do you work with your child and their unique brain wiring to help them find wins? How do you bring calm back to your home and family?
‘It takes all types to make the world go ‘round,’ my dad would say. We all have strengths, weaknesses, talents, values and needs. Kids are often born with completely different personalities from their parents and each other.
They have their own unique approach to life. No two brains are alike. No brain is better than another. They’re simply different and that’s ok.
Often, parenting needs to be approached differently for the neurodiverse child. ADHD brains are more sensitive, slower with development in the frontal cortex (home to executive functions), and independent in their thinking. This is an interest based brain. ‘Traditional’ parenting techniques might not work with these kiddos.
Have you heard these words in relation to your child? Lazy, manipulative, attention seeking, etc. All very common for the neurodiverse child, who hears approximately 20,000 more negative comments than the typical child. It may be time to change the way your child is viewed – a lens change for those involved in their daily life. What if the assumption was that all kids want to do well; sometimes they just don’t know how to meet expectations (unclear) or aren’t able to meet expectations at the moment (lack of skills/overwhelm). What if we believe there are no bad kids, just misunderstood ones? What would that change in perspective do for your child and your family? Coaching can help make things easier, while explaining the science behind the thinking.
Since you know your child best, learning skills and strategies to help create wins at home will develop lasting change. In parent coaching, we will work on specific scenarios you bring to sessions, using the latest research and tools available. If desired, I can meet with your entire family to practice techniques as you develop solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Coach?
A coach is someone who helps you imagine a greater possibility for yourself and supports you in achieving it – focusing on strengths, values (what’s important to you) and modalities (how you learn/work best).
A coach is a thinking partner, who forms a collaborative relationship with you to explore areas of your life, helping to gain clarity and meaningful growth.
A coach offers space and time to process through challenging situations in your life, inspiring awareness and resulting in change.
A coach helps you become aware of what’s working well and what’s getting in the way.
As a client, you are in charge of your session. I’m here to be curious, and help you to dive deeper, discovering your ‘who’.
Discovering your ‘who’ and how your own brain works can be transformative. Who are you? How do you absorb things? What stories are you telling yourself? What’s possible when you change your stories? Who do you want to be?
What is different about an Executive function and ADHD Coach?
Education in the unique brain wiring and how it presents in life – What causes your brain run non-stop? What makes it hard to complete a project? A certified ADHD Coach will have extensive knowledge in what’s different from the ‘typical’ brain, the cognitive lag often seen in executive function skills, and effective strategies to help you discover how to move forward. Understanding who you are and how your own brain works helps with awareness, acceptance and growth.
If you want more detailed info, click here.
What Can Coaches Do for People With ADHD?
Help pause, find balance and grow. When your brain is constantly running, full of ideas and to do lists, it is hard to pause and process. A coaching session offers you that space – time to think and become aware of your self-talk. And education about what exactly is going on inside your head and body. A certified ADHD Coach will have tools and models on hand to help you understand your brain and how it works. With knowledge comes power. And change.
ADHD Coach vs. Therapist - What’s the difference?
A coach stays in the present with movement toward the future, whereas therapy often unpacks the past. When a coach asks about the past, it is limited to successes (what’s worked before?). Therapy and coaching can work well together for some.
How do you meet with clients?
Mostly over Zoom, but sometimes over the phone. Virtual meetings allow us to meet from anywhere around the world.
I Want to Help You:
If you would like to discover your best self and/or help your child/family find a more positive path in life’s journey, contact me below. I’d be happy to listen and help.
No judgment—just a safe place to pause, find balance, and become your best self.
After working with Sally for only a few short months I can say with confidence that I was surprised by the results I experienced through our coaching partnership. As someone with ADHD, I had continuously told myself old stories about how my brain operated that I let take control of my work ethic and the way I valued myself as a person. In working with Sally over the months, she first helped me bring awareness to the fact that through these stories, I was criticizing my brain and I held onto specific beliefs about myself that were obstructive and not necessarily true. After bringing awareness to these stories and realizing how much I was letting them control my way of thinking, Sally worked with me as much as I needed to reroute my way of thinking. At first it was difficult for me to be vulnerable and try and change the way I had been wired to think for so long. However, Sally’s personal, understanding, and encouraging nature made being vulnerable a very easy thing to do. I found that I was able to be open about anything and Sally challenged my way of thinking which gradually changed my mindset and my thought process. It wasn’t until the past month that I started to witness the change I had experienced. I had reshaped my way of thinking and I gained tremendous confidence in myself that has benefitted all areas of my life. My new way of thinking has allowed me to gain the confidence I needed to change boundaries within relationships, go after the job I was nervous about, improve my study habits to help me succeed in graduate school, make time to improve my well-being, and discover what is valuable about myself. I would encourage individuals to form a coaching partnership with Sally because she is the relationship I never knew I needed! She is someone who will be willing to work with you on any area in your life and she will push you to become the person you’ve desired to be.
MP — College Client
We have been blown away at the growth in her confidence, the ability to see things more objectively, as well as her insight in understanding her triggers and what is healthy and not healthy. We are so grateful for your coaching to help her understand who she is and how she operates. You have helped her see things more clearly and helped her create criteria for work, play, school, etc. that work for her… which she did not have before. Thank you!
AP — Parent of College Client
I’m just so thankful I trusted my gut and on a whim sent you a message for help!!! I’m thankful for you this year! I couldn’t have made the progress I have without you!!!!
HW — Adult Client
I approached Sally for coaching primarily to address my challenges with interpersonal relationships (both professional and personal). We’ve started off with addressing my difficulty in cleaning up+managing my work email. She helped me come up with a structured strategy with set timelines to clean up my inbox in a matter of a couple of weeks. Her text check-ins also helped me out to keep myself on track. As a result, I’m more responsive while using email than ever before.
The best part about working with Sally is she never handed me the solutions outright. By asking questions, she helps me break down and dive deeper into my challenge of the day. The strategy we end up with is not only tailored to me, but also lets me play to my own strengths. Before ending our session, she asks me about the day’s takeaway, which helps to further reinforce what I need to do.
If you’re as goal-oriented as I am, Sally’s definitely the ideal coach. Her help with organization and planning are key in tackling challenges I previously deemed too vague/fuzzy to plan out.
TD — Adult Client
As a parent of a child with ADHD, sometimes you feel like you are alone, not knowing how to help your child to succeed. Coach Sally is kind, helpful and patient, and is a valuable resource to both my son and me. We have seen many positive changes in my son since he’s begun working with Coach Sally. She takes great challenges that seem difficult to tackle, and breaks them down into easy steps that propel my son towards his goal. Coaching has been one of the best decisions we’ve made, and the smile on my son’s face when he meets his goals is all the proof I need that it was worth it!
DK — Mom of Client
We have been so lucky to find Sally. It is so difficult to find someone who is warm, non-judgemental and takes the time to truly listen and understand. She brings specialist ADHD knowledge and skills coaching, as well as a wealth of her own personal experience. I would not hesitate to recommend her.
FG — Mom / Adult Client
Talk With Sally!
Unlock your unique strengths to work with your brain, not against it.