A new resource is available for students who struggle with educational success because of their ADHD. An organization called The Edge Foundation has begun training coaches to help ADHD students succeed in school and college. Coaching seems to be a new trend in the U.S.A to help young people succeed in the world despite their learning challenges. What does an ADHD coach from The Edge Foundation do for students with ADHD? According to their website, once hired, the Edge Foundation coach will contact the student every week. Contact will be via telephone or internet for a 30-minute period weekly, during the typical 10-month academic year.

What will the life coach do specifically for the student with ADHD? According to the website, there are six main goals. The life coach will assist the student in goal setting, confidence building, organizing, focusing, prioritizing, and persisting at tasks.

Coaching is not meant to replace medication or therapy utilized to control ADHD symptoms. Instead, it is to be used in combination with current treatment to help students succeed academically. Scholarships are available for those who apply and meet the criteria. Qualifications for scholarships are determined by the student’s financial need on a sliding scale based on the parents’ ability to pay. Otherwise, it is a paid for service.

ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is complex mental health disorder. Characteristics include all or some of the following: difficulty in maintaining attention, or hyperactivity, and lack of impulse control. Problems with social relationships and academics can lower an ADHD student’s self-esteem. Of course, low self-esteem can lead to anxiety and depression especially among teenagers. These difficulties can lead to students dropping out, abusing substances, taking risk, or even criminal activity.

There seems to be a disproportionate number of foster children diagnosed with ADHD. If you have adopted an older child from the foster care system then chances are your child struggles with symptoms of ADHD. Like many adoptive parents, we are challenged to find resources to help our children succeed.






Photo Credit: ckirkman’s photo stream uploaded September 12, 2005