Development and validation of the ADHD Benefits of Coaching Scale (ABCS).

OBJECTIVE: Develop and validate the ADHD Benefits of Coaching Scale (ABCS), a self-report instrument designed to measure benefits of ADHD coaching in college students. METHOD: Concepts were elicited from interviews with ADHD coaches and college students receiving ADHD coaching. Draft items were tested in cognitive interviews among ADHD students. Item and scale reliability and validity of ABCS were evaluated using web-survey data from students reporting ADHD. Mean ABCS scores for coached and noncoached groups were compared. RESULTS: Five coaches and 14 students participated in concept elicitation interviews; 10 students participated in the cognitive interviews; 209 students completed the web-survey. The 10-item ABCS showed satisfactory internal consistency reliability and validity and differentiated between coached (n = 17) and noncoached groups (n = 192; p < .01). CONCLUSION: To assess benefits of ADHD coaching in college students, the ABCS was developed and psychometrically validated in accordance with Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) patient-reported outcome guidance.

The effectiveness of coaching for children and teens with AD/HD.

Specialized AD/HD coaching can be a helpful service for families and children. Coaching can help children and teens with numerous important yet challenging tasks, such as improving focus, staying on task, managing time, developing organizational skills, strengthening motivation, building self-awareness and confidence, and developing structures and routines to promote success. Readiness for AD/HD coaching is individual and depends on understanding cause and effect. AD/HD coaches work with parents of very young children, with parents and children in the pre-teen years, and directly with teen clients. AD/HD coaching for children and teens can lead to improved family life, better success in school, and optimum readiness for adult life.