ADD COACHING CERTIFICATION

       

ADHD Coaching requires a unique set of skills that are not taught in traditional coach training programs. An ADHD Coach works with individuals who feel or think they may, or know they have ADHD or ADHD-like qualities. ADHD Coaches may also work with persons who do not have ADHD but are related, connected or live with someone who has ADHD. As a result, an ADHD Coach needs to be sufficiently knowledgeable about the disorder and how ADHD impacts upon the client and the coach-client relationship.

It is because of this unique skill set that ADHD Coaches around the world have felt that an ICF credential alone cannot identify who is a competent ADHD coach. By becoming a credentialed coach, an ADHD Coach becomes part of a growing community of AD/HD Coaches who have been assessed and are determined to meet the highest standards of skill, experience and training. It also signals to clients and to the wider community that the ADHD Coach has made the commitment to delivering the highest level of AD/HD Coaching.

There are currently two AD/HD Coaching credentialing organizations. One, the Institute for the Advancement of AD/HD Coaching (IAAC) has been formed to "define, protect the integrity of, and support the profession of AD/HD Coaching." IAAC's mission is to "advance the field of AD/HD Coaching through the development and delivery of a professional credentialing standard for AD/HD Coaches worldwide, in pursuit of excellence in our profession." IAAC is currently credentialing AD/HD coaches. The second organization, the Professional Association of AD/HD Coaches (PAAC), is in its start up phase and hopes to begin credentialing coaches in 2012.

The MentorCoach ADHD Coaching Master Classes have been created to give participants the 30 hours of ADHD Coach training that is the minimum required to be credentialed as an Associate Certified AD/HD Coach (ACAC), the first level of AD/HD Coach certification through IAAC. It is anticipated that the PAAC requirement will be similar. The master classes are designed to address the core competencies of both the IAAC and the emerging PAAC.

To become an Associate Certified AD/HD Coach (ACAC) through IAAC, these are the steps:

1. Applications will be accepted during the months of April/May, and October/November only.

2. Applicant must be actively engaged in AD/HD Coaching at the time of application.

3. Minimum one (1) year of AD/HD Coaching experience.

4. 100 hours minimum of AD/HD related client coaching (with a maximum of 20 pro bono hours). Group coaching may be included in the 100 hours at a rate of one hour per one group hour (15 maximum group size).

5. Minimum of five (5) clients.

6. Minimum 30 hours of AD/HD Coach training. By completing the Introductory ADHD Coaching Class (12 hours) and the Advanced ADHD Coaching Class (18 hours) through MentorCoach, you will have completed this requirement.

7. Minimum 60 hours of general, personal or professional coach training without certification. (MentorCoach certification is NOT required.)

8. 10 hrs of Mentor coaching.

9. Oral Exam: Applicant must be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the IAAC Core Competencies and a beginner’s level of skill in AD/HD Coaching that reflects application of the competencies in a live coaching assessment.

The requirements to become a similar level coach through the Professional Association of ADHD Coaches (PAAC) will be made available by sometime in 2012.

The two ADHD Coaching Master Classes are briefly described below.

The Positive Psychology and ADHD Coaching Master Class curriculum offers much of the nuts and bolts AD/HD information need to be an effective AD/HD coach, such as symptoms/diagnostic methods/medications and, most importantly, viewing each client as an entire individual. An expected outcome of this class is for each participant to have their own personal toolbox of interventions that they can use with clients with ADHD.

The Positive Psychology and Advanced ADHD Coaching Master Class course curriculum is designed to put the coach's skill-set into action with clients. Each week is dedicated to a specific 'type' of client. The class focuses on children, teens and young adults with AD/HD-type symptoms as well as issues unique to adults. Situations related to working with parents and spouses of individuals with ADHD are also addressed. Each participant has an opportunity to present a coaching conversation to the class, with a class debriefing afterwards.

Coaches who have completed these two classes report that their knowledge and comfort level in working with this population increases significantly.

In addition, we are offer The ADHD Medication Rules Master Class which focuses on the latest in ADHD Medication and is led by Dr. Charles Parker, a psychiatrist and psychopharmacologist who is nationally recognized for his writing, pharmaceutical presentations and innovative, yet scientifically based practice initiatives for ADHD medication and treatment.