Making Cents - Frances Thrasher Norge

It's life coach's business to help ADD kids cope

Diane Herbert can spot someone with Attention Deficit Disorder from a mile away.  She's been a certified teacher for 20 years and currently instructs through Chesapeake Public Schools' homebound student program.

She watches her ADD students bounce off the walls during their four-hour sessions.  She watches them procrastinate and lose sight of goals.  Many times she watches them fail in school.

Herbert, 46, decided to take her teaching experience and skills as a life coach to create a business to help students, adults and parents of children with ADD.  She recently started ADDventures coaching, a business dedicated to helping people with ADD.

"ADD coaching is so helpful to the individual," said Herbert, a Great Bridge resident.  "Right now there is only medication, tutoring and psychotherapy services.  These are all necessary, but I give skills in dealing with the brain, and practical issues in life."

Her services do not include tutoring.  She offers skills to help students cope with their symptoms and manage their minds.  "People with ADD cannot project themselves into the future," Herbert said.  "Their parents need help to keep kids' behavior and routines on track, and focus on the child's strengths.  I use behavior modification techniques that focus on incentive." 

Herbert said she offers tips and techniques to keep her clients' minds on track.  She has two services:  ADD coaching and life coaching through Life Choices Coaching.  The ADD side of her business is just getting started, while she has been a life coach for one year.

Life Choices Coaching revolves around helping clients develop a life of balance, fulfillment and empowerment. "She's a very authentic, caring person with a really strong intuition that drew me to her," said Karin Whitely, a Connecticut resident who used the Life Choices services via phone and e-mail.  "She's honest and open with her coaching."

Whitley met Herbert while attending a Coaching Training Institute seminar to become a coach herself.  "I wanted a life coach myself," Whitley, 50, said.  "She's absolutely helped.  She's a great, active and engaged listener and gave me ideas for how I can carry our discussion through my life.  She helped me with personal, career and relationship issues."  Whitely said that while family and friends offer advice, a life coach helps a client decide what to do on his or her own through support and validation.

Herbert offers one complimentary life coaching session with new clients to show what she has to offer.  The rates for the ADD coaching run $350 per month, which includes four, 45-minute sessions.  Life Coaching rates are the same.  Herbert has a bachelor's degree in human development and family services in addition to her 20 years of teaching experience. 

"I'm working with students with ADD one-on one," Herbert said.  "The problem is right here in my face when they're bouncing around for four hours.  I didn't feel my calling was necessarily to teach content, and I didn't have the heart for special education.  But I did have a heart for kids who are struggling."

The ADD/ADHD coaching caters to children, adults and parents.  She teaches social, time and stress management, and concentration theories to help people with the condition focus more and succeed.  "I've always been a problem solver," Herbert said.  "I give tools to people to enhance their lives."