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My Why..........

Charlie Faulkner

So here’s the thing – I had a gut feeling, a core belief that my animal loving, firecracker daughter navigated the world in a different way. I saw sparkles in her eyes stronger than other child, I also saw the storm, and they would be so intense that it was hard to believe this small child could emanate such an energy. I set out to understand ADHD more, to understand the complexities of the structure of the brain and how ADHD impacts the development, and to learn to appreciate the struggles so that I could be a great team player in this life for her.


I gained an incredible education in ADHD with the International ADHD Coach Training Centre, and I worked alongside some sensational coaches where it very quickly became clear to me that it was my calling in life to coach children with ADHD. I am at home with their little hearts and creative, whimsical, firecracker minds, and what an absolute honour it is to share part of their story with them.


‘Why children’ I hear you ask? Well – for me – I crave impact, and the earlier the intervention – the bigger the impact. Neurodiversity is a headlining topic everywhere with more adults coming forward and receiving a diagnosis than ever before. You read stories of how suddenly, their lives made sense, how their quirks and traits were actually symptom checklist items for ADHD. You also read of how many struggles they had, with increased diagnosis of anxiety, depression, suicide attempts. To be frank, it saddens me – who wouldn’t be right?


Coaching and children with ADHD should go together like an ice lolly on a summer’s day. Coaching is based on an undeniable belief that we are all creative, resourceful, and whole. We are not broken wounded beings that need fixing. Everything to succeed is within each and every one of us. Coaching meets the child where they are, so for many it’s the first relationship where the child is in control. I believe it’s exactly this that makes coaching a beautiful engagement because in their world, society demands conformity, and here is where shame and negative self-talk can creep in from such an early age.


With a well-matched coach, each child can explore their struggles without shame and learn how to overcome them with strategies that fit them, and it goes without saying - celebrate their strengths. Invoking awareness, and understanding their needs leads to an opportunity to advocate for themselves. I wonder the impact on cases of depression and suicide attempts if each of these adults were allowed the space, and support as children to understand how ADHD impacts them, and encouraged to advocate and passionately and confidently for their needs


We are most certainly taking steps towards a greater understanding of ADHD and its impact… we need to do more. We need to raise awareness of how ADHD presents itself for girls and boys. We need to give children a forum for them to voice their experience, to speak their truth, to really nurture their strengths so that whilst society plays catch up – we fundamentally do not let these children propel into adulthood feeling like they are anything other than worthy and enough.


Charlie


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