Demographics, Services, and Practices in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Coaching in the US

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often encounter significant barriers to accessing formal psychosocial treatments.
• ADHD coaching has emerged as a popular, accessible, and grassroots psychosocial support system, particularly online.
• There is limited documentation regarding the ADHD coaching workforce, its characteristics, and the safety and effectiveness of its services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the patterns within the ADHD coaching workforce.
• To identify workforce entry dates, services offered, and the demographic characteristics of ADHD coaches.
• To understand the landscape of ADHD coaching in the United States.

Main Methods:

• A national survey of ADHD coaches in the US was conducted between October 1, 2024, and April 3, 2025.
• Purposive electronic survey and snowball sampling methods were employed for recruitment.
• The survey targeted self-identified ADHD coaches providing services to at least one client in the US within the past year.

Main Results:

• The survey included 481 ADHD coaches, with a mean age of 51.3 years; 81.6% identified as women.
• A significant portion of the workforce (60.9%) began practicing during or after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Most coaches were self-employed, worked from home, lacked professional licenses, and operated without formal clinical support, yet many used ADHD-specific curricula and discussed clinical topics.

Conclusions:

• The study indicates a notable increase in ADHD coaching workforce entry coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Randomized clinical trials are crucial to validate the safety and effectiveness of ADHD coaching.
• Collaboration between healthcare and ADHD coaching communities is recommended for developing standardized training, credentialing, and oversight, contingent on trial outcomes.