Key takeaways about coaching the twice exceptional ADHD client

I had the recent privilege of attending the ICF ADHD Coaching webinar presented by Liz Welshman, who is amongst one of the first ADHD coaches in Australia (and someone who played an important part in my own coaching journey, as someone who welcomed me into the ADHD fold and was so generous with her time and encouragement when I first started out in the coaching world…) So I was really pleased and excited to be able to attend her webinar on Coaching the Twice Exceptional ADHD Client. Bottom line… I learned so much that I can apply in my coaching practice… Here are some of my key takeaways…

  • Twice exceptionality refers to individuals who are both intellectually gifted and have ADHD or other learning differences.

  • Gifted people with ADHD show a complexity of thought cognitively, emotionally and intuitively and have a spikey cognitive profile… exceptional abilities in some areas but can really struggle with lagging executive functioning skills like working memory, organisation, sustained attention, time management, planning or flexibility.

  • There are often signs that we can look out for, as coaches…

    • ADHD and 2E clients often talk about being “too needy, too driven, too arrogant, working too hard, being too emotional”

    • They tend to make big leaps and connections, that is, complex thinking - where they can take in information > see patterns > draw inferences > and integrate patterns to infer much bigger ideas

    • Often will not self-disclose due to “tall poppy syndrome” particularly in certain cultures

    • Have a strong sense of justice and can be incredibly sensitive to moral justice

    • Have big existential concerns - (can present as existential depression) - can be idealistic but also can see inconsistencies and unfairness in the world that are difficult to reconcile

    • Can experience big emotional experiences - the challenge of having gifted traits and being misunderstood can lead to judgments by others and judgement of themselves, based on shame or guilt around the intensity of these feelings

    • Really smart people see all the shades of grey and it can therefore be really painful to make a call

Therefore, my main takeaway is that it’s super important for coaches to look out for and recognise the 2E client, so they can use support their client first and foremost, using language that resonates with the client, acknowledging and validating experiences and intensities, and therefore help their clients develop a more empowering and positive self-view about their exceptionality and challenges.

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