Fundamentals of ADHD Coaching for Families Course

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Our elective course, Fundamentals of ADHD for Families, is a specialty track designed for coaches who are already trained in the Basic (Level 1) core coaching competencies through ADDCA or another ICF accredited coach training program, who want to gain the specialized skills of coaching young children, adolescents, teens and their parents who struggle with the challenges of ADHD

The course will provide coaches with a solid foundation to work with parents and their children who are being held back by the invisible barriers of ADHD. 

Course provides a total of 99 accredited training hours towards Re-Certification at PAAC/ICF

Unlike a short, weekend crash course, this comprehensive training will provide you with everything you need, so you won’t need to take another family course! 


Developed by ADDCA's Director of Family Training, Caroline Maguire, M.Ed., ACCG, PCAC, PCC, a leader in the field of executive function and social skills development, this course incorporates the latest research related to ADHD and executive functions in the family. Caroline is the author of a number one Amazon new release book, Why Will No One Play With Me? 

In this training, coaches will:

  • Learn to understand complex family relationships and family dynamics and the importance of working with the entire family 
  • Learn how family sessions flow and common content of such sessions
  • Learn how to address common ADHD client challenges with specific strategies for children from 5 to 30
  • Explore ethics, confidentiality, goals for coaching and on-boarding with a family
  • Learn to teach clients of any age social skills, run social groups and coach them virtually.
  • Learn to address ADHD challenges such as self-regulation, emotional control, future thinking, time management and other executive function challenges so clients learn how to change their behavior.
  •  Walk away with all the materials to run parenting groups, support groups, speak in your community.

Sessions will present common coaching scenarios typically encountered by ADHD coaches when working with parents. Specific ADHD Coaching skills using new Family models and strategies will be demonstrated in a variety of different family scenarios. By integrating case-studies, coaches will also have opportunities to practice family coaching skills and receive constructive input focused on strengthening their skills and strategies to meet the diverse needs of families.

Families with at least one ADHD child experience daily challenges with homework, emotional regulation, relationships, impulsivity, negative behavior, procrastination, motivation and much more! These executive function challenges make children feel terrible about themselves and hopeless about the future. This can often leave parents feeling frustrated, anxious and completely exhausted. If they have ADHD themselves, it only exacerbates the challenges they are already facing. The bottom line is parents are desperate to understand their child's ADHD challenges but don’t have the knowledge or tools to support them in productive ways. Parents also often feel isolated, from friends and family, for the fear of being inundated with, ineffective however well-meaning advice or being judged as incompetent parents. 

For these families to move forward, they need a well-trained ADHD Coach who has an extensive understanding of how ADHD impacts families. 

See Minimum Requirements for Enrollment.


Course Details

  • World-Class Faculty:  All ADDCA instructors are ICF and PAAC certified coaches who bring extensive experience and knowledge.
  • Virtual Classroom: Attend from anywhere in the world. Meet twice a week for 90 minutes each session.
  • Video Conferencing: All sessions are recorded. Closed captioning and transcription are available.
  • Secure Student Portal: Access an extensive library of resources, recordings, schedules, and more.
  • Learning Partners: Connect with fellow classmates to share and apply what you're learning in class.
  • Private Family Facebook Group: Engage with other family coaches and share resources.
  • Quarterly Q&A Forums: Get your questions about coaching paths, training, and certification.


Share Link: What's Included
Module F1: Working with Families

Module F1: Working with Families

This module focuses on how a well-trained ADHD coach effectively implements the coaching process and skills to support  children, teenagers, young adults and their parents. This module explains a new framework for utilizing ADHD family coaching models which will support the implementation of a customized plan to manage and overcome the challenges of ADHD. This family coaching process will eventually lead to a more fulfilling and healthy family environment. 

Module Objectives:

Upon completion of this module, you will:

  • Describe and conduct a powerful conversation for introducing families to ADHD Coaching and how it will benefit all family members
  • How to conduct a comprehensive intake to identify challenges and opportunities
  • Apply key processing styles for family members with ADHD which will improve their ability to complete important personal and academic goals
  • Co-create customized structures, systems and strategies to activate the unique brain wiring of clients with ADHD in order facilitate completion of important tasks/goals
  • Integrate the most current family ADHD research to improve parents understanding of their child’s ADHD and diminish frustration and stress 
  • Demonstrate tools, models and strategies for parents to apply with their children based on their parenting style
  • Manage complex issues involving young children exhibiting risky, impulsive behavior such as lying, skipping school and drug abuse
Module F2: Parent Coaching

Module F2: Parent Coaching

This module will expand upon what coaches have learned in module 501. The teleclasses will focus on common coaching scenarios encountered when working with parents and young children. Coaches will learn how to apply new models, tools and strategies designed to meet the needs of parents who want to support their children in developing life skills and motivate them to complete important goals.

Module Objectives:

Upon completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand what parent coaching is and be able to describe the different parent coaching structures used to successfully work with young children 
  • Prepare for common coaching situations and introduce strategic tools parents can choose to manage complicated family issues
  • Co-create appropriate structures to support parents for coaching their young children
  • Demonstrate and apply best practices for establishing boundaries, setting expectations; reinforcing discipline and implementing rewards for children 
  • Teach parents to identify what activates their children’s brains to empower them to focus on those type of activities 
  • Demonstrate the use of a new Family model designed to educate children about their unique brain wiring and hidden strengths
Module F3: Changing Behavior

Module F3: Changing Behavior

This module will introduce ADHD coaches to the behavioral process, specifically how human beings learn and modify their habits, conduct actions, and more. You will also learn how children develop their essential executive functions based on their stage of maturity and understanding so they can learn to identify and manage realistic, attainable expectations.

Coaches will learn to strengthen and build new executive function skills with your clients using play-based coaching strategies. This includes “gamification,” one of the most successful learning approaches that integrates the fundamental elements of games—fun, rules, and friendly competition with rewards. Coaches will discover how integrating "gamification" into the learning process can improve executive function skills for children with ADHD.

We each have a unique mix of processing styles: the way we receive and process information when we want to learn something. Processing is not limited to learning in an academic environment. It also includes how we make sense of the many different daily situations, events, information exchanges, and conversations. Coaches will learn your own mix of processing styles and by working from that understanding, you can help your students explore how they best process and learn. By learning to recognize and understand your client's unique mix of eight processing styles you will gain the knowledge and support your client will need to improving the speed and quality of their own learning.

During Module 503, coaches practice a unique collaboration process which will build connections and partnerships with your clients and their families. Coaches will learn how to devise and implement reward plans and behavioral contracts which support positive reinforcement. Coaches  will learn how to use highly effective tools for monitoring progress and success, and discover how all these resources can reinforce the positive behavior and actions of your clients.

Near the end of the module, coaches will be introduced to the important concept of the social mind, and discover how to strengthen and reinforce executive function skills in order to facilitate and improve social skills. You will also be introduced to specific techniques and over twenty social skill tools, which you will practice in your coaching lab sessions.

Module Objectives

Upon completion of this module, you will: 

  • Understand how the role of maturity and executive function development influences the client’s ability to meet societal expectations. 
  • Identify how human behavior is learned and modified. Have tools and methods to address common ADHD problems in order to create routines and establish systems that will consistently lead to client success. 
  • Learn to use play-based coaching and gamification to make coaching sessions fun and engaging for greater particiation and improved learning. 
  • Learn effective strategies for ADHD challenges, systems which promote the ability to transition with change, and approaches which significantly improve executive function skills. 
  • Gain a deep understanding of how to use processing styles to activate the ADHD brain and create "wacky," creative ways of making learning fun. 
  • Understand how the brain learns new information and learn strategies to make the information stick in a client's working memory. 
  • Learn the role of positive reinforcement in changing behavior and create customized reward and behavior plans for any client. Understand the social mind and how executive function facilitate social skills.
  • Learn techniques to improve the client’s social radar, address common social dilemmas, and walk away with tools to help clients address basic social problems that affect the ability to make friends and be his or her best self.
Module F4: Teaching Executive Function Skills

Module F4: Teaching Executive Function Skills

This module will provide coaches with the essential tools and lessons to teach each executive function skill to children, teenagers, and young adults. Coaches will receive more than twenty tools and numerous exercises, worksheets, and lessons to build executive function skills for clients. Coaches will be trained in ADDCA’s new proprietary family coaching models for executive function.

Coaches will learn how to motivate even lackluster clients, to teach clients to ignite or stimulate their brains, and to get the most out of learning to make information stick. At the same time, coaches will learn how to cope with resistance from clients.

Coaches will come to understand executive function and the neurology of the brain in order to help promote future thinking, build self-regulation, promote emotional regulation, create time horizons and a sense of time for clients, improve working memory, develop the brain’s inner radar system, create strategies to pause and promote mindfulness, develop self-talk, and to improve organization, planning, and prioritizing. Coaches will receive specific lessons and tools they can use with clients of all ages, as well as learn techniques to help clients build executive function skills.

Module Objectives

Upon completion of this module, you will:

  • Understand executive function and the brain’s role in building executive function skills. 
  • Explore how to teach executive function skills by identifying processes to build those skills through tools and activities. 
  • Learn how to address issues of motivation, resistance, and learned helplessness with clients. 
  • Understand how to promote mind miming and visualization so clients can picture expectations and desired behaviors. 
  • Identify how to create future thinkers and promote essential visualization skills in clients. 
  • Learn how to teach the sweep of time, time horizons, and self-regulating toward a goal with clients. 
  • Explore how to improve the client’s internal radar system so they engage in essential “if-then” and problem solving behavior. 
  • Understand how to build essential self-regulation and self-awareness in clients. 
  • Discover how to promote emotional regulation and build the emotional regulation muscle using tools and lessons that are fun and engaging. 
  • Identify how to improve working memory through activities, games, and worksheets. 
  • Learn how to teach organization, planning, and prioritizing skills through essential tools to manage homework and life tasks for clients.

Course Requirements:

  • Attendance: 80% live attendance for each module
  • Module Reviews: Achieve 80% or above for each module
  • Project: Family project

Note: Full requirement details will be made available upon registration. If you are already registered, please reference ADDCA's Curriculum Handbook in your student portal.


Share Link: Requirements
  • Register early as class sizes are limited.
  • Check class times for your timezone: TimeZone Converter

Fundamentals of ADHD Coaching for Families (Module 501-504)

​(FAM-16) April 16, 2024 - November 5, 2024 | T & TH | 12:00 PM-1:30 PM Eastern Time​ LIMITED SPOTS
(FAM-17) November 6, 2024 - June 4, 2025 | M & W | 2:00 PM-3:30 PM Eastern Time
(FAM-18) May 1, 2025 - November 18, 2025 | T & TH | 10:00 AM-11:30 AM Eastern Time

How many hours per week will I need to devote to the Family Course?

Fundamentals of ADHD Coaching for Families Course (M-501-504)

  • Two 90-minute classes per week: 3 hours/week
  • Meet with learning partner(s): 1-2 hours/week
  • Outside reading/fieldwork: 1-2 hours/week
  • Total Time: 5-7 hours/week
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What are the minimum requirements for enrollment for Family Course?

For ADDCA-trained Coaches*:

  • Attendance: 80% live attendance (Modules S1, PT1, B1-B4)
  • Module Reviews: Achieve 80% or Above (Modules S1, PT1, B1-B4)
  • Coaching Skills Practicum (CSP): Completion of Basic CSP requirements 
  • Project: Basic project

Please note: ADDCA students must successfully complete the Advanced Coaching Skills Course to apply for Advanced Certification.



For Non-ADDCA-trained Coaches (Professional Track)*:

  • Proof of ACC Certification through ICF

  OR

  • Documentation of successful completion 65 hours of coach-specific training from an ICF-accredited coach training program 
  • Documentation of successful completion of 5 hours of mentor coaching  
  • Be able to attest to successful completion of 20 coaching client hours 

Please email the documentation to ADDCA Student Services (student@addca.com) for approval.

AND

*Registration includes a Self-Study prep to familiarize you with the ADDCA Models. Self Study to be completed before Family course begins.



*For those who have not yet met the minimal requirements but wish to secure a spot, please contact Student Services to complete an Enrollment Agreement.

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We take great pride in the training performed by our exceptional Family Faculty Members. While time zone and personal schedules will play a roll in which leader teaches a given module, each faculty member offers a unique perspective and is well qualified to deliver the already rich and engaging content.

Caroline Maguire, M.Ed, ACCG, PCAC, PCC

Director of Family Training
ADDCA Senior Leader, Assessor & Mentor Coach
Family Trained Leader

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Dana Maher, JD, ACCG, PCAC, PCC

ADDCA Senior Leader, Assessor, & Mentor Coach
Family Trained Leader

Read More

Michele Toner, PhD, ACCG, PCAC, PCC

ADDCA Senior Leader, Assessor & Mentor Coach
Family Trained Leader

Read More

Bethany Febus, ACCG, PCAC, PCC

ADDCA Leader, Assessor, & Mentor Coach
Family Trained Leader

Read More

Lynn Shumaker, M.Ed, ACCG, PCAC, PCC

ADDCA Leader, Assessor
Family Trained Leader

Read More

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Pricing and Registration

For ADDCA-Trained Coaches - Approval required

Fundamentals of ADHD Coaching for Families Course
Payment Plan: $2,197 Deposit - Then 7 Monthly Payments of $456 (Total: $5,389 USD)
Payment in Full: $5,116 USD

To Register, Email student@addca.com : See Minimum Requirements for Enrollment


For NON-ADDCA-trained Coaches - Approval required
See Self Study Terms

Fundamentals of ADHD Coaching for Families Course w/ Self-Study
Payment Plan: $2,197 Deposit - Then 7 Monthly Payments of $499 (Total: $5,690 USD)
Payment in Full: $5,401 USD

To Register, Email student@addca.com : See Minimum Requirements for Enrollment



Registration Information
  • Review course requirements before registering.
  • Payment plan installments begin automatically one month from the date of registration.