Coaches for ADD and Organizational Skills
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Coaches for ADD and Organizational Skills
Sept 2011
Looking for therapist/behavior and organization coach who
specializes in treating adults with ADD. We've got the meds
but need advice/guidance in developing behaviors and systems
for functioning more smoothly. Prefer East Bay or San
Francisco. Thanks!
Tired of lost keys and one-sided conversations...
I originally had my 3rd grade son see Nancy to help him cope
with school, he was doing terribily. In the process of
working with Nancy I realized that I had to provide my son
with the structure he needed to do well in school, along
with rules, expectations, support, consequences/rewards,
etc. I was doing none of this. I too have ADD and was
terribly disorganized both physically and mentally. Nancy
helped me get organized physically by eliminating the excess
(I'm a pack rat) and creating habits that would work for me.
Then we put together a weekly routine, Mon - Fri (plus Sat &
Sun) of all the things I had to do during the day so that I
would have the time to do the things I needed to do with my
son. We also put together an after school schedule for him.
As it turned out, I ended seeing Nancy and not my son. She
really helped me get organized and my relationship is much
better with my son and husband, and I feel more in control
and less stressed. Nancy's contact number is 510-384-1909,
website www.stepbystep4success.com.
anon
I highly recommend Linda Lawton, who works with adults and teens
with A.D.H.D. She has an office near El Cerrito Plaza where I
have gone for exactly the kind of help you are seeking. I also
take my teenaged daughter for a twice-weekly supervised study
hall, where she is magically able to focus and get her homework
done. Linda is compassionate, smart, and funny, and very aware of
the complex and wide-ranging effects of A.D.H.D. Maybe the most
important thing is the way she creates an atmosphere of such
good-humored and shame-free acceptance that i was able to confess
all my most humiliating chaotic messes, and one by one, she's
helping me manage them. her website is
www.centerofattentionandlearning.org, her phone is 559-3110, and
her email is lindaclowlawton@gmail.com.
anon
As an adult living with the blessing/ curse of ADD, I highly
recommend Linda Lawton (See her other postings here)
Through making the transition from a professional employee to a
new business owner, difficult personal and family relationships
and most of all the tools to manage a hectic Bay Area existence,
Linda has proved to be a invaluable resource to me. Good luck to
you. - Jerry
June 2011
My almost 17 year old has one more year of high school
before he goes off ot college, and if he goes without
acquiring some skills for organizing and managing and
locating his stuff, I fear for him (and his roomates!) He
is very smart, organized and mostly punctual with his school
work, but his 'stuff' is everywhere, his desk is 5- 6 inches
deep in papers and stuff, and he can't find anything without
my help (it's usually on the floor). But, he doesn't see
this as a problem (!) Can anyone recommend a professional
who can understand the teen mindset, get into that part of
his brain that might be receptive to re- organizing his
life, and then help him accomplish it? Thanks in Advance!
desperate mom
I'd like to recommend Kathleen Crombie of In Order to
Organize. She's easy to work with, non-judgmental, has great
organizing ideas and is a great listener. She was wonderful
with my 12-year-old, who becomes attached to every piece of
paper her hand touches. Kathleen helped her put simple
systems in place for managing all her art and school papers,
and taught her a thought process to go through when bringing
in new stuff. www.facebook.com/InOrdertoOrganize or
www.inorderto-organize.com. (She also has 2 boys of her own,
so she'll know where you're coming from!) Jennifer
April 2011
Before we go the ADD route, I understand that there are specialists
who assist kids in organizing their life and lifestyle. I would like
to interview such a person/people who have experience in assisting
teens to think proactively in planning activities and school
requirements. My 15 yo son can not perform a 3 item sequence of
directions, is perenially late to school because he keeps changing his
clothes, and does not know how to study for tests. We live in Alameda
and would prefer someone who could come to our home.
Hopeful Mom
We have been sending our 14 year old to Matt Foley through
S0S4STUDENTS. They are great - not cheap, and it is taking
more sessions than we had hoped, but progress is coming! Eden
August 2010
My husband is an adult with ADD who is also a full-time
student. He wasn't diagnosed until his late 20s and we are
trying to find a good study/life skills coach to help him
navigate the stresses of school and work and life with a new
baby. The academic coach that he had before, recommended by
his doctor, focuses her practice on kids and it wasn't a
good match, and it was too pricey for us to continue without
results.
We'd love to be able to find someone before the semester
starts August 24.
The local group of Children and Adults with Attention
Deficit Disorder is active and will have referrals for you.
I attended to get help with my son. Their is a specific
group for adults; I think they meet at Le Coquelet (sp?).
Good Luck
August 2008
I am an adult with Attention Deficit Disorder. I have a demanding job and am not
forced to face my disorganiztion, missed deadlines and loss of focus.
Does anyone know an ADD coach for adults?
Ready to Make Changes
The best of the best is right here-- Linda Lawton. I am a PhD with
a similar job to what you describe, and I needed to get my act
together desperately. Linda worked with me from an entirely
non-judgemental place (essential for my success) and I made real
change. Her office is in Albany, and she is the most flexible and
understanding coach I could hope for. Linda's email is
easy4you@sbcglobal.net.
Much Happier Now
I always encourage my clients to check out my credentials. I advise
the person looking for a ADD coach to do the same. Check out therapy
licenses, certifications etc. before starting with a new coach.
Anon
Feb 2008
Hi: My 13 year daughter is a very bright but unmotivated
and disorganized student. Over the years, her grades have
steadily dropped from A's to B's and now, I fear, C's.
She's not there yet but I see it coming. She has a mild
case of ADD. It has not affected her grades in her earlier
years but seems to be taking its course now.
She's had tutors which is OK during the time they are
together. The rest of the time she procrasatinates and the
work just doesn't get done. She is resistant to any help
from my husband and me.
A friend recommended Nancy Chin at Step By Step in
Oakland. Has anyone heard of her? She is an academic
coach who helps students get organized and stay focused.
THANKS Katrina
I also have a 13 year-old girl with organization and focus
problems. I estimate I have spent almost $10,000 in the
last three years on tutoring, an educational therapist,
study skills, and testing. She is a well-behaved, well-
intentioned kid who enjoys pleasing people. And it has
never made sense that she would have such a poor attitude
about school, lie about having tests, etc.
A few months ago, her tutor and I realized that if I didn't
explore ADHD medication I might always wonder. I read up.
I downloaded the standard ADHD assessment tools. The
tutor, my child and I all took the assessments and my child
ended up amazed at how many ADHD symptoms she has! I have
had this suggested to me by others over the years but the
situtation has seemed so mild....
Long story short, my kid has been on ADHD meds for about 6
weeks now. She aced her final exams on the medications,
her grades popped up, and she feels very good about herself.
I think the medications are real different for a 13 year-
old because she can be part of the solution. She is in
charge of telling me whether the meds work, at what
dosage. She remembers to take her pill each day. She will
be the one that decides when it will be time to quit
(Kaiser has suggested she will find this useful for 2-3
years).
I know meds seem drastic. I never thought I'd do it. But
I can't believe the difference it has made for her at
school, and for our relationship!
n in oakland
Hi,
My son has been seeing Ms. Linda Lawton on San Pablo Ave.
in Albany for some time. She does great work with my son,
who is also 15. She is especially well-equipped to handle
kids/adults with ADD/ADHD. I have also seen a number of
recommendations for her on BPN. Her email address is:
easy4you at sbcglobal.net. Good Luck,
Peggy
Nancy Chin of Step By Step is absolutely the
answer to your prayers. My third-grader has tested as
gifted but also has some serious problems with
organization, efficiency, time-management, effectiveness,
and it goes on and on. He doesn't let me help him at all
with his homework (''It's none of your business, Mommy'').
And, let's just say that he has inherited his ''issues''
from his father from whom he does accept help. He had
never finished a homework assignment on his own, ever,
until he began with Nancy just five weeks ago. Nancy knew
immediately how to motivate him; connected with him on a
personal level; moved slowly; and has already achieved
amazing results. By the third session (once a week for an
hour), he was completing his homework assignments on his
own, and they were almost perfect when his father checked
them over for correctness and completeness. She also has
a beautiful office above Market Hall in Rockridge; only
charges $70 an hour (a total bargain for what she has
achieved in such a short time) and calls my son during the
middle of every week to check in with him. She is the
sweetest, nicest, and MOST EFFECTIVE academic coach for
the issues your 13-year-old is having. I am sure you
won’t be anything but 100% happy with the results she can
achieve with your daughter.
Sharon
Sept 2007
My 21 year old Berkeley High graduate daughter has ADHD
and other learning issues, and has made several false
starts at community college. To break this cycle I would
like to find a coach for her who can give her feedback and
point the way for her to be successful. If you know of
such a person please let me know.
anon
I'm not sure what you're looking for in saying "coach" but
if you want someone who is experienced working with kids
with ADHD and with people with learning differences you
might want to have your daughter see Phyllis Koppelman who
is a educational therapist and has loads of experience
with learning differences. She can help your daughter get
organized, learn how to get started on assignments, how to
schedule her work, and can help with writing skills. She
is very kind and accessible. I know both boys and girls
who have worked with her, with many different things they
wanted to develop. She isn't cheap but even a few
sessions can make a difference. You can check out her
website at www.strategiesforlearning.com. Her office is
on Grand Ave. in Oakland. She has a pretty full schedule.
another mom of teens
July 2003
I am seeking a coach or tutor for an eight yearold girl with mild attaention difficulties. Am looking for someone that has worked with kids with attention problems and know how to help them with academics but also knows toold to asist with attention problems.
Recommendations received:
Linda Lawton
you could also contact the ability resource center, which works
with children (& their families) w/ learning & attentional
differences. ask for glenn gelfenbein @ 510-528-6095 or
glenn AT abilityresourcecenter.com
good luck!
lisa
May 2003
I have a bright but poorly focused son who is going into
9th grade at Berkeley HS. Although he's been shown
on evaluations to have attentional problems, he did not
respond well to medication and we'd like to provide him
with a personal coach instead to help him transition to
the world of HS.
We're having a hard time even figuring out what sort of
professional we need since we're looking for
somebody who understands learning styles and can
help him develop organizational skills (i.e., an
educational therapist) but also can deal with all the
emotional issues that relate to motivation, behavior and
self-esteem (more of a psychologist) and knows how
to negotiate the high school world (add school
counselor to the mix).
On top of that, as a bright 14-yr-old, our son is pretty
resistant to working with anybody who seems to be
babying him or underestimating his abilities. The
metaphor of a COACH (he's very into sports) fits what
we need --- somebody ''cool,'' with high expectations
and lots of knowledge who can help him in a fun,
respectful, no-nonsense and suportive way. How's that
for a tall order?
Any suggestions?
frustrated Berkeley mom
Recommendations received:
Linda Lawton
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