When Students Aren’t Coachable Yet: How Parent Coaching Can Bridge the ADHD Readiness Gap

by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP
Founder, PTS Coaching, LLC

Back in 2007, I had the good fortune of taking Jodi Sleeper-Triplett’s coach training. Like so many others who’ve learned from her, I came away with a deep respect for the power of coaching, especially for teens and young adults navigating ADHD and Executive Function challenges. Jodi’s expertise shaped how I think about partnership, readiness, and what it truly takes for growth to occur.

But something began to stand out as I worked with more families.

Again and again, I found myself meeting with incredibly bright, talented students who, on paper, seemed like ideal coaching clients—but who just weren’t coachable yet. And it wasn’t because they lacked intelligence, motivation, or capacity. It was because the system around them – their parents, routines, expectations, and emotional environment wasn’t yet aligned to support change. Parents were eager, schools were hopeful, but the students themselves weren’t ready to engage meaningfully.

That’s when I discovered my true calling: supporting the parents.

Coaching in a Vacuum Doesn’t Work

Coaching for students can be a very powerful tool. However, we need to make sure the student is ready and willing, in order for it to be effective. The importance of prescreening and setting realistic expectations for both the teen and the parent, is essential.

But here’s something I’ve found again and again: even when a student isn’t yet ready for coaching, a parent often is. And when parents receive the right support – when they learn about ADHD through the lens of brain development, self-regulation, and Executive Function—the whole system starts to shift.

And then, the “uncoachable” teen becomes coachable. Power struggles lessen. Emotional intensity softens. The student can step into coaching with greater ownership, as they’re no longer caught in the cycle of shame, blame, and unrealistic expectations. Parent coaching helps bridge the readiness gap, giving students the foundation they need to benefit from the powerful work that student coaches do.

Parent Coaching as a Bridge, Not a Detour

Parent coaching doesn’t replace the incredible work of student coaching – it complements it.

Through my ADHD Parent Coach Academy, I train professionals to work with parents using a model that is:

• Brain-based and compassionate
• Rooted in Executive Function research
• Practical and collaborative
• Focused on connection, structure, and resilience

Many of my graduates go on to collaborate closely with student coaches. In fact, several were originally trained by Jodi herself! We share a common mission: to support kids in a way that truly works.

If you’re a student coach who’s ever found yourself wondering, “What can I do when the student just isn’t ready?” – I encourage you to think about the parent as your first client. Sometimes, that’s the best way to make space for the coaching process to take root.

Learn More & Partner With Me

If you’d like to learn more about the ADHD Parent Coach Academy, you can visit:
www.ptscoaching.com/adhd-parent-coach-academy.  Or feel free to email [email protected] to arrange a time for us to chat.

I’d love to collaborate with more coaches already working with students. If you’re looking to add parent coaching to your toolkit, I’d be happy to talk to you about the upcoming ADHD Parent Coach Academy cohort. And if you ever need a trusted referral for parent coaching when a student isn’t quite ready, I’m always happy to partner in support.

Together, we can create more coachable kids – by starting where change often begins: at home.