Hi, I’m Shanna, the NeuroKind Coach.
ADHD Coach for children and young people.
Helping children and young people better understand themselves, build confidence and develop strategies that support them in everyday life.
My Approach
My coaching is strengths-based, neuro-affirming and tailored to each individual child. Research suggests that with timely support, children with ADHD can thrive. My aim is to help children understand how their brain works, recognise their unique strengths and build the confidence to navigate the world in a way that works for them.
Rather than focusing on ‘fixing’ behaviours, I work alongside children to develop practical strategies for the challenges they face in everyday life. Together, we might explore areas such as organisation, emotional regulation, friendships, school challenges and self-esteem, developing tools that are supportive, sustainable and suited to the individual child.
Drawing on my background in education, SEND and pastoral support, I create a calm and nurturing environment where children feel understood, valued and safe to explore both their challenges and their strengths. My goal is to help every child develop greater self-awareness, resilience and independence, empowering them to thrive both now and in the future.
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Master's in Education and Professional Studies
Psychology degree
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ADHD Coaching qualification
Engaged in continuing professional development
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15+ years of teaching and leading in schools
Safegurading trained
The importance of early support for children and young people with ADHD
Research tells us that early support can make a significant difference for children with ADHD. The recent NHS ADHD Taskforce highlighted that "with timely support, people with ADHD can thrive." ADHD coaching provides practical, strengths-based strategies to help children develop the executive functioning skills needed for everyday life.
Growing research into ADHD coaching has found improvements in:
Executive functioning;
Organisation and planning;
Self-esteem;
Goal attainment;
Emotional wellbeing.
Coaching doesn't aim to "fix" ADHD. Instead, ADHD coaching is a collaborative, goal-oriented process that helps individuals with ADHD develop the self-awareness, strategies and skills necessary to fulfil their potential while navigating the realities of living with ADHD.
Throughout my fifteen years working in education as a teacher and senior leader, I have had the privilege of getting to know so many incredible children and young people. Time and again, I have been struck by the creativity, curiosity, determination and unique perspectives they bring to the world. Some of the most rewarding moments of my career have come from building relationships with children who think, learn and experience the world differently, and helping them to feel understood, valued and confident in who they are.
Alongside my professional experience, parenting a neurodivergent child has deepened my understanding of the importance of acceptance, advocacy and seeing the child beyond expectations and assumptions. Combined with my studies and training in ADHD coaching, it has strengthened my belief that children thrive when they have the opportunity to understand themselves and when the adults around them seek to understand them too.
More recently, receiving my own ADHD diagnosis has added another layer to my understanding. I have lived experience of the everyday realities of ADHD and the practical strategies that can make a genuine difference. Over time, I have developed systems, routines and ways of working that support my own executive functioning, organisation and wellbeing. While every person's experience of ADHD is unique, this personal insight helps me to better understand the challenges children may be facing and to share practical, flexible strategies that can be adapted to suit the individual rather than expecting every child to fit the same mould.
I know that many children with ADHD grow up receiving messages about what they should do differently or how they should fit into environments that were not always designed with neurodivergent minds in mind. While ADHD can bring incredible strengths and ways of thinking, it can also present very real challenges in a world that often places demands on skills such as organisation, emotional regulation and attention. My passion is to provide a space where children can explore how their brain works without judgement, recognise and celebrate their strengths, and develop practical strategies and supportive systems that help them navigate these challenges in ways that feel authentic and sustainable.
My hope is that every child I work with leaves coaching knowing that who they are is something to be valued, that their voice matters and that their way of thinking brings unique strengths and perspectives. I want children to feel confident in their identity, be equipped with practical strategies, able to advocate for themselves and empowered to navigate the world as their authentic selves with confidence and self-belief.
Why I coach …
Get in Touch!
If you would like to find out more about ADHD coaching or discuss how I may be able to support your child, please feel free to get in touch. I offer a free initial consultation call to answer any questions and explore whether coaching feels like the right fit for your child and family.
If you are a school interested in offering ADHD coaching during the school day, please do get in touch.
FAQ
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ADHD coaching is a supportive, strengths-based approach that helps children and young people better understand how their brain works, develop practical strategies and build confidence in themselves. Coaching may support areas such as executive functioning challenges, emotional regulation, motivation, school demands, friendships and self-esteem.
Sessions are tailored to the individual child and can explore both school and home-related challenges in a calm, supportive and non-judgemental space. The focus is on helping children feel understood, empowered and more confident in their abilities, while developing strategies that genuinely work for them as individuals.
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No. A formal diagnosis is not required. Coaching is still beneficial for children who experience challenges commonly associated with ADHD, such as executive functioning difficulties, emotional regulation, overwhelm, anxiety, focus or organisation.
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Sessions can either take place within school during the school day (where coaching has been arranged through the school) or from my home setting in Maidstone.
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I specialise in working with children and young people of primary and secondary school age. Sessions are always adapted to suit the child’s age, personality and individual needs.
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Sessions are child-led, supportive and practical. Depending on the child’s needs, sessions may include discussion, reflection, visual supports, strategy-building and activities designed to help develop self-awareness, confidence and practical tools for everyday life. Building trust and emotional safety is always an important part of the process.
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A neuro-affirming approach recognises and respects neurodiversity as a natural variation in how brains work. Rather than focusing on “fixing” a child, the approach aims to support self-understanding, confidence, emotional wellbeing and practical strategies while valuing the child’s individual strengths and differences.
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No. ADHD coaching is different from therapy or counselling. Coaching focuses on helping children better understand themselves, develop practical strategies and work towards goals or challenges in everyday life. It is forward-focused and strengths-based.
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Sessions are usually delivered on a 1:1 basis with the child, either during the school day within school or from my home setting, so parents do not typically attend the coaching sessions themselves. This helps to create a space where children can feel comfortable speaking openly and building confidence independently.
However, parent collaboration is an important part of the coaching process. I will always begin with an initial discussion with parents to gain a better understanding of the child’s strengths, challenges and how their ADHD may present within home life. I also provide regular feedback and updates throughout the coaching process via email, helping parents feel informed, supported and involved throughout.
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Every child is different. Some children benefit from short-term support around a specific challenge, while others benefit from longer-term coaching to build confidence, self-awareness and strategies over time. This can be discussed during an initial consultation.
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Yes. I work 1:1 with children during the school day where this has been arranged in partnership with the school. If you are a school in Kent interested in offering ADHD coaching support, I would be happy to hear from you.