Frequently Asked Questions

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neuro-developmental disorder characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that can impact daily functioning and social interactions. 

It often begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood, affecting various aspects of life, including academic performance, work, and relationships. Treatment options typically include medication, therapy, and behavioural interventions such as therapy and coaching.

No - Mostly! That depends on the severity and your reason for wanting a diagnosis.

If you believe you need medication, that can only be prescribed by a trained physician after a full and thorough diagnosis.  

You don't need a diagnosis to consider yourself to have a disability. This means that employers and government agencies have to consider that you have a disability, providing you disclose it to them, and this gives you the same legal protection. By law, in the UK, employers and service providers must make reasonable adjustments if you disclose your ADHD to them.

You can also access a range of support services such as ADHD coaching, if you have a diagnosis or not.

Some people seek a diagnosis simply to make sense of their lives and validate the way they are. Simply having that piece of paper and accepting yourself for what you are can have a profound effect and can be a big step towards controlling your life.

Determining if you have ADHD requires a professional evaluation, but here are some common signs and symptoms associated with the condition:

• Inattention: Do you struggle with maintaining focus, becoming easily distracted, frequently making careless mistakes, having difficulty organising tasks, or frequently forgetting or losing things?

• Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Do you often feel restless, have difficulty sitting still, constantly fidget or tap your hands or feet? Are you prone to impulsive behaviors, interrupting others, or speaking without thinking?

• Challenges in Daily Life: Have you experienced difficulties with time management, meeting deadlines, completing tasks, staying organised, or following through with plans? Do you struggle with maintaining attention during conversations, lectures, or reading?

• Relationship and Social Challenges: Have you encountered difficulties in relationships or social interactions due to impulsivity, interrupting others, or having trouble listening and focusing on conversations? Are you often described as "always on the go" or having a hard time waiting for your turn?

• Childhood Symptoms: ADHD typically manifests in childhood and may persist into adulthood. If you recall experiencing these symptoms during childhood, such as academic struggles, disruptive behaviour, or being labeled as "daydreaming" or "hyperactive," it may indicate a possibility of ADHD.

If you identify with several of these symptoms and they significantly affect your daily life, you should contact your GP in the first instance. 

There are a few options available to you.

1. If you are in work apply for an Access to Work grant. This grant provides funding to enable people with disabilities to stay in work. It can pay for things such as assistive software, equipment, therapy and support workers. This includes ADHD coaching. Remember a formal diagnosis isn't needed to apply.

This process can take several months, and it will not refund any costs retrospectively, so be prepared to wait if you haven't already submitted an application.

See  Access to Work (adhdaptive.org)  for more information.

2. If you have a formal diagnosis, coaching may be available to you through the NHS. Talk to your GP for more information.

3. There are many local support groups that you could join, both in person and online. Talking with other ADHDers is a great way to understand more about the condition and learn how others are coping with it.

• The first step is a free, no-obligation online introduction session lasting 30 minutes. This provides an opportunity for me to learn more about you and vice versa. During this session, we'll discuss your challenges and what you hope to achieve through coaching. Additionally, we'll delve into the coaching process and what you can expect.

• The aim is for both of us to mutually determine if coaching is a good fit for you and if you wish to proceed.

• Coaching sessions are usually booked in packages of 6 or 12 weeks, and payment is required upfront via bank transfer or Paypal.

• The cost of the sessions can often be claimed through an Access to Work grant from Access to Work (adhdaptive.org). Keep in mind that the application process can take several months, and you cannot reclaim retrospectively.

• If you agree to continue, you'll receive a coaching agreement to sign, which covers details such as both parties' responsibilities and session specifics.

• Sessions are typically one hour long and scheduled in advance on a weekly basis.

• For online sessions you should be in a quiet, relaxed environment with no interruptions.

• Coaching sessions are conducted through Microsoft Teams or, if requested, in person in the North East of England.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, which is diagnosed when two or more areas of a person’s life are significantly impacted by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity. 

The diagnosis itself is a very rigid set of criteria, if you don’t meet the threshold, even by one, you won’t get a diagnosis. 

Treatment should be holistic and includes medication, therapy, coaching and practical adjustments in the workplace or home. You don't need a formal diagnosis of ADHD to seek help with the traits commonly associated with the condition.

Coaching is a partnership between the coach and the individual, working together to explore challenges, identify strengths, and develop practical solutions. Traditional coaching doesn’t work well for people with ADHD, Due to the differences in how our brains work, individuals with ADHD require personalised and tailored solutions. 

Our nervous system, which is driven by interests, novelty, and dopamine, often motivates us differently than a neurotypical person. No two people with ADHD are the same and can respond completely differently to a neurotypical person in any given situation. Therefore, ADHD coaching needs to be through an ADHD lens to be meaningful and the goal is to provide support, strategies, and tools to help people manage their symptoms, improve executive functioning, and achieve their goals.

As a certified ADHD coach, I am not here to give you all the answers or give advice and I am not a medical practitioner.  Together, we will focus on executive functioning, active listening, and a varied toolkit. We will explore challenges in any aspect of life, including work, relationships, home and social challenges, and break things down into manageable chunks. We will explore your strengths, build on them and use these to control weaknesses. 

If you're ready to unlock your full potential and lead a more enriching and satisfying life, let's start this journey together. Contact me to learn more about how ADHD coaching can support you.

• The coaching is based on the ADHD Works executive functioning Coaching Framework, which focuses on self-awareness, problem-solving, impulsivity, memory, and emotional regulation.

• You can expect a safe, relaxed, and non-judgmental environment, either virtually or in person, with strict confidentiality maintained.

• The sessions are led by you – I will not lead or make suggestions or judgments. My role is simply to guide and focus you through your own thoughts, encouraging self-reasoning through curious questioning and active listening. 

• We can use a range of worksheets depending on your needs, covering topics such as strengths, saboteurs, emotional regulation, goal setting, and inhibitions.

• The general format of a session includes greetings, setting the tone, a discussion led by you, and a summary at the end to check your learning and recap on any actions.

• You may choose to set goals after a session and report back on progress the following week. This is entirely up to you, but accountability often serves as a motivator.

• We don't necessarily have to have any tangible firm outcomes from a session, although there often are. The important thing is that you go away having learned something about yourself.