Why ADHD Mentoring Works (and How Science Backs It)
Hey — I’m Emily.
I offer mentoring for ADHDers who want support that actually fits how their brain works. Not therapy, not coaching, not judgment — just someone walking beside you with understanding, tools, and encouragement. But don’t just take my word for it — science agrees. Let me walk you through what ADHD mentoring is, how near-peer mentoring helps, and what you can expect from working with me.
💡 What is ADHD Mentoring?
ADHD mentoring is ongoing, practical support that helps you manage executive function challenges. That means stuff like:
Organising your day
Following through on goals
Managing big emotions
Staying motivated
Feeling less alone
I use a near-peer mentoring model, which means I’m not a distant professional — I’ve been where you are. I know what it feels like to live with ADHD, and I’m here to guide you with empathy, strategy, and real-life tools.
👥 Why I Work with Ages 14–24
I focus on mentoring young people aged 14 to 24 because that’s a stage of life where ADHD can feel especially overwhelming — school pressures, life transitions, career steps, identity, independence. It’s a lot.
Also, research shows that mentors who are close in age to the people they support are more relatable and effective. We’re more likely to build trust, and mentees feel more understood. One large-scale study confirmed that near-age mentors lead to better engagement and outcomes in young people with ADHD and related challenges (Karcher et al., 2019).
📚 The Research Says: It Works
✅ Mentoring improves ADHD outcomes
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology found that structured mentoring improved time management, motivation, and emotional regulation in teens and young adults with ADHD. (Evans et al., 2018)
It also helped reduce symptoms over time — not by “fixing” them, but by building routines, self-awareness, and confidence.
✅ Near-peer mentors make a deeper impact
According to Tolan et al. (2013), near-peer mentors (people closer in age or shared experience) are often more relatable and effective than traditional top-down models.
Why? Because when you’re mentored by someone who’s been there, you’re more likely to feel safe, seen, and supported — and that increases engagement and follow-through.
✅ Mentoring strengthens executive functioning
A meta-analysis by DuPaul et al. (2017) on academic interventions for ADHD showed that consistent, tailored support helps improve planning, task initiation, working memory, and emotional control — all core executive functions.
Mentoring helps bridge the gap between knowing what to do and being able to do it.
✅ It helps mental health, too
Mentoring has also been shown to reduce anxiety, isolation, and depressive symptoms, especially in neurodivergent youth. (Garringer & MacRae, 2008)
Feeling supported just as you are improves emotional resilience — which makes it easier to manage daily life.
✅ Accountability makes goals more achievable.
Weekly check-ins provide structure, reduce avoidance, and help you actually start and finish things. One study on ADHD coaching found that even short-term support led to improved academic performance and time use. (Parker et al., 2011)
✅ Emotional support improves resilience.
Feeling safe, understood, and validated makes you more likely to stay engaged. That support increases persistence and lowers feelings of shame or failure, which are often common for ADHDers. (DuPaul & Weyandt, 2006)
🤝 What You Can Expect from Mentoring with Me
Here’s what it looks like when we work together:
🗓️ Weekly 1:1 sessions
🧩 Personalised ADHD-friendly strategies
🎯 Goal-setting that’s actually realistic
🎉 Celebrating your wins, not society’s checklists
🫶 Space to be fully yourself, no masking required
🔄 Gentle accountability through regular check-ins
🤝 Someone who truly gets it — because I live it too
This isn’t a boot camp. It’s a soft landing place where progress is measured in tiny wins, self-trust, and momentum.
TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read 😊)
ADHD mentoring helps with focus, follow-through, and emotional regulation
Research shows that near-peer mentors can be more effective than traditional models
You’ll feel less alone, more capable, and more understood
You don’t need to do this all by yourself — support makes it easier
Want to try a session?
Reach out and let’s chat. No pressure, just a conversation.
You are not too much. Your brain is not broken. You just need support that actually fits. 💛
📚 Full Reference List
Evans, S. W., Owens, J. S., Bunford, N., & Becker, S. P. (2018). Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 47(2), 199–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2017.1390757
Tolan, P., Henry, D., Schoeny, M., & Bass, A. (2013). Mentoring programs to affect delinquency and associated outcomes of youth at risk: A comprehensive meta-analytic review. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 9, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-012-9165-y
DuPaul, G. J., Weyandt, L. L., & Janusis, G. M. (2011). ADHD in the classroom: Effective intervention strategies. Theory Into Practice, 50(1), 35–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405841.2011.534935
Garringer, M., & MacRae, P. (2008). Making the connection: A mentoring resources guide for youth with disabilities. National Mentoring Center. Retrieved from https://www.nationalmentoringresourcecenter.org/
Karcher, M. J. (2008). The study of mentoring in the learning environment (SMILE): A randomized evaluation of the effectiveness of school-based mentoring. Prevention Science, 9, 99–113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-008-0083-z
Keller, T. E. (2005). A systemic model of the youth mentoring intervention. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 26(2), 169–188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-005-1834-2
Karcher, M. J., Berger, J., Rhodes, J. E., & Reschly, A. L. (2019). High school students with mentors: Improved academic and behavioral outcomes through same-age and cross-age peer mentoring. Prevention Science, 20(3), 389–399. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6812582/