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Managers face the task of communicating some difficult decisions to an apprehensive workforce as the slowdown bites
Give me your attention
Everyone is wrestling with the problem of winning mindshare to support the growth of market share, writes Stefan Stern
Pfizer chief's cure
In spite of restructuring, Jeff Kindler, boss of the world's largest pharmaceuticals company, does not rule out future acquisitions
The value of office gossip
The rumour mill does not have to be a destructive. Constructively harnessed, it can help manage worker expectations and even act as method of testing out new ideas
Grim Reaper stalks corporate corridors
Entrepreneurs take more career risks than most, so it might be expected that the incidence of suicide would be higher than average, writes Luke Johnson
Turbulent times ? patent opportunities
Ocean Tomo's success highlights the complex market for innovation functioning under the constraints of the credit crisis
Prisons specialist steps out
A software provider to the Belfast security industry has been unlocking its potential after years of shunning publicity
India has drama in store
Shoppers in the subcontinent favour the colour and theatre of the bazaar over more minimalist western store designs, writes Amy Yee
Wave goodbye to complacency
It is not too late to learn important lessons from 2008. Here are five thoughts to bear in mind in 2009, writes Stefan Stern
Departing words of wisdom
The ideal farewell speech should be a subtle balance of humour, memories, reassurance and gratitude
Salvation from innovation
The septuagenarian president of Casio says that a surge in new products will see the company through any recession
Private equity must prove its value
Unless things are done differently, the backers will disappear, the money will dry up and credibility for the profession will be destroyed, writes Luke Johnson
Carmakers set out to regain reputation
After a beating on Capitol Hill, the US manufacturers want to prove critics wrong about their cars
When managers say suit yourself
Some companies are profiting by allowing teams to formulate their own flexible and efficient working arrangements
The secret to survival in 2009
The seemingly dreary business of car hire holds valuable lessons on customer service, writes Stefan Stern


skilled, educated ADD coaches than any other coach training program.”

Giwerc also serves as the current president of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), which describes itself as “the world’s leading adult ADHD organization.”

What ADHD Coaches Do

“(ADHD coaches) tell our clients that they’re not broken; their brains are just wired differently,” Giwerc says. Besides educating clients about their ADHD, coaches support and empower them by helping them to:

#1 - Let go of and change beliefs that are obstacles in their lives: things like, “If I can’t do it the way ‘they’ want me to do it, I’m no good” (rather than “I have a different style that works for me”) and “If I don’t get the result I want, it’s a failure” (rather than “it’s a learning experience”).

#2 - Identify their passions, talents and successes – i.e., the things they love to do and do well – and focus on them rather than exclusively on their weaknesses

#3 - Understand how ADHD characteristics, such as creative thinking and hyperfocus, can be utilized as strengths when integrated into their daily schedules

#4 - Develop their unique skills

#5 - Create customized structures and strategies that utilize their natural learning and processing styles so that they can function more effectively and achieve their goals

#6 - Learn what do to when they get “stuck” because of ADHD-related challenges such as procrastination, perfectionism, distraction and lack of time awareness

While coaching is no substitute for medication, Giwerc says that it can be part of a comprehensive approach to managing ADHD that also includes 1) accurate diagnosis; 2) identification of the most effective drug and dosage for the individual; 3) psychotherapy, if needed; and 4) physical exercise.

Where Do I Find a Coach and What Should I Look For?

Many websites advertise ADHD coaches. At the ADDCA site, for example, you can find the names of suitable coaches by clicking on the “Find a Coach” tab and then choosing the specialty you want (for example, “Adult” or “Children and Adolescents”) and/or the location you prefer. Coaches usually offer a free introductory session so that you can both determine “if there’s a connection,” Giwerc explains.

Although the International Coaching Federation (ICF) certifies coaches in general coaching skills, there’s currently no ICF certification specifically for ADHD coaching. Coaches should be graduates of ADHD coach training programs, however, such as ADDCA’s 12-month long-distance program that leads to the ACG (ADD Coach Academy Graduate) designation. Graduates of ADDCA may then pursue advanced training to earn certification as a CAC (Certified ADDCA Coach).

For helpful guidance about selecting an ADHD coach, see “The ADDA Guiding Principles for Coaching Individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder” at the ADDA’s website.

The Nuts and Bolts: How Does Coaching Actually Work?

Although you can meet with a local ADHD coach in person, most ADHD coaching takes place via telephone or e-mail. Three or four 30-to-60-minute phone sessions are usually scheduled each month, with e-mail or brief phone contacts in between. Fees may run between $200-$600 a month and are probably not covered by insurance (but you should check with your own health plan to be sure).

Coaching relationships don’t have a set timeframe. They can run from six months to two years or more, depending upon the individual client’s desires and progress.

As important as a coach’s credentials are, even more crucial to a successful coaching experience is the ADHD client’s willingness to do what he or she can to create a more fulfilling life. Coaches can inspire this willingness. “We teach our clients to shift perspective, to discover and embrace their strengths instead of their challenges,” Giwerc says.

In fact, adds Giwerc, “With the help of a well-trained coach, a client learns how to take his or her natural ADHD tendencies and convert them into strengths.”

Article Source: http://www.articleblender.com

by Fran Hopkins forADDvantaged.com - a source of news, information, media, free downloadable tools, and dynamic community-based support for people whose lives are affected by ADHD. www.add-vantaged.com


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