How does ADHD impact College Age Adults?

 

ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that affects 5-12% of all young people. It is broken down into three presentations: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive and the combined type. According to researcher Russell Barkley, children with ADHD may lag behind their peers 30% in certain areas. We know that ADHD and executive functioning challenges impact both learning and behavior. 

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How does ADHD impact School Performance?

 

Students with ADHD will experience unique educational challenges. Succeeding academically demands strong executive function skills such as being able to organize, manage time, pace, prioritize, utilize a planner, initiate tasks, problem solving, complete and turning in homework, listen and follow direction, remember what is read, memorize and study for tests. A student may be intelligent but still underachieving. Students with ADHD experience a performance deficit that is often situational. 

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How Can a Coach Help?

 

Coaches look at what is getting in the way of school and whole life success, partnering with students to reach their goals and optimize their potential. Teaching and developing skills is important to experiencing success as a person with ADHD. 

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Skill building may include how to:

• Organize

• Plan time effectively

• Create routines

• Transition

• Use a daily, weekly and 3-month calendar

• Break down long and short term projects

• Pace homework

• Study for a test

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Benefits of Coaching

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ADHD education is an important part of coaching. Working weekly with a coach, student will be able to pinpoint where their ADHD presents and learn the exact tool to manage it. This is empowering and the young person starts feeling a sense of control in their life. Coaching fosters a health disability perspective. Clients are no "ADD" but talented, gifted, unique people who have ADHD. 

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Transition Support

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An important way coaches can support young adults is in making the transition from high school to college or the workforce. Preparing for college and college itself can be daunting especially for the person who has struggled in high school. Suddenly the young person is on their own, without their parents to keep them on track. ADHD traits follow 2/3 of young people into adulthood, and according to the National Resource Center young people are at a greater risk for lower academic achievement, social problems and greater job difficulties. ADHD impacts every area of life so the development of reinforcement of skills is essential to long-term success. Whether it be study skills in an academic setting or life skills, such as finding a job, finding a place to live, money management, taking care of one's laundry, getting along with roommates, eating properly, or managing one's medication. When young adults put supports in place and utilize their strengths they can be among the most successful. A coach can be an invaluable, non-judgmental accountability partner, who together with the young adult, creates a daily customized plan for success!

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Call today for your complimentary session!