ADHD coach-good idea-yes or no?

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I have an 18 year old about to enter college. Negative experiences in high school have helped her develop all the wrong coping strategies to protect her ego and self-esteem. She needs some hard core study skill strategies that work for her particular brain personality and learning differences. She is hampered by executive function and organizational issues, but is motivated to go to college. Her current strategies of charming her teachers and choosing not to do assignments with low points will not get her through college in my opinion. Has anyone had any positive experiences with an ADHD coach? Preferably near Columbus, OH. Thanks for your response.

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I was fortunate to hear a session featuring one of the coordinators of University of Denver's LEP (learning enhancement program) at this past year's Learning Disabilities Association Annual Conference. She was wonderful! It really made me wish my son had applied to that school, because I could see they work with the students as individuals, and really try to connect, NOT only on academics, but even in terms of asking kids about their social lives, etc. I know a 4-year college is more expensive than a community college, both in tuition cost and room and board if your daughter isn't living at home, but if things don't work out where she's at, you might want to consider it.

Thanks for the info. I will look into the Nova Coaching idea. She has already been admitted to a community college but we are not impressed with the disability department. The problem with Doctors, coaches, teachers and other professionals is not an issue of professional qualifications but the willingness to connect with the child on a human level. We have had too many experiences with professionals who in their quest to get information sometimes forget to look up and make eye contact or spend the sessions writing things down. This alienates the child because he starts wondering "what the hec are they writing?" I think its more important to establish a rapport. There is plenty of time for writing if you can get the kid to come back for the second visit. If you bombard a teenager with lots of questions they feel like an object rather than a person. When the personality clicks they make 100% effort. If there is a hint of patronization they shut down. Thanks again. I really appreciate your response.

Is your daughter going to be attending a local community college? Often times, they will have a Disabilities Services Department that may offer study skills classes, etc.
There are also some 4-yr. colleges (ie, University of Denver and Southern Illinois University) that offer very supportive programs, for a fee, that are tailored towards helping students with disabilities succeed at their institutions.
Another person on a different parent forum said they used peer coaching through on-trac. www.novacoaching.com/coaching/college-coaching.html They helped her daughter get through college with a B.A. degree, double-major, in only 3 years (she attended every summer). Their insurance helped cover some of it.

As far as using a "regular" ADHD coach, not one who specializes in college students, I personally only know of one. He mentioned that working with teens is often the most difficult age, because a coach can only be effective if the person being coached WANTS to change the ineffective ways they've been functioning... Basically, the guy said that if mom or dad are hiring the coach, but the student doesn't want the help, it's a waste of time and money.

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