How to Start a Special Needs Coaching Business

Part 1 - How to start a Special Needs Coaching business - Background

Parents of special needs children work tirelessly to ensure their children lead happy and fulfilling lives. They scour the world, often looking for education and support that just isn’t there. A Special Needs Coach offers life coaching services to children and young adults with developmental disabilities. They impact these children’s lives, focusing on each individual’s needs, whether it be academic, career, or relationship-building. Many also work with parents of special needs children in order to help them better understand their child’s disability and to work through the parenting challenges.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Special Needs Coaching business - Background
• Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
• Part 3 - Action plan to get started

What are the costs involved in opening a special needs coaching business?

Starting a Special Needs Coaching business is a fairly low-cost venture. To reduce overhead expenses, many entrepreneurs forego renting an office space. Meetings are held at the client’s home and administrative duties are handled from a home office.

Start-up expenses include the following:

• Reliable transportation

• Phone

• Internet

• Computer

• Liability insurance

A website would also prove beneficial for those seeking thought leader status in this industry. Websites should be simple, yet informative in nature.

What are the ongoing expenses for a special needs coaching business?

Like the startup expenses, ongoing expenses in this industry are fairly low. Overhead costs include continuing education, transportation, Internet, insurance, and marketing. Coaches who opt to hire employees will also face payroll expenses, as well as the added expenses that come with opening a brick-and-mortar office.

Who is the target market?

Because this is a specialized field, your target demographic is limited to individuals with special needs and their family members. This is often a tight-knit community, which will, ultimately, simplify your marketing efforts.

How does a special needs coaching business make money?

A Special Needs Coaching business generates revenue by charging clients for their services. Fees are generally billed by the hour and, depending upon the client, can sometimes be forwarded directly to the client’s insurance company.

How much can you charge customers?

Fees are often set based on experience and education. Most coaches charge an hourly rate of $75-$200.

How much profit can a special needs coaching business make?

The average profit realized for this industry is $59,100. Each additional coach that represents the business will contribute to an increase in annual profit.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Special Needs Coaches can increase annual profits by offering online coaching meetings or through guest spots at speaking conventions. Many have also found success hosting seminars or classes. Classes could include both online and in-person sessions and cover a variety of topics.

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a special needs coaching business?

Special Needs Coaches spend a majority of their time meeting with clients. Meetings are held a minimum of two to four times per month, based on the clients’ individual schedules. Pre-meeting planning is often required, and post-meeting notes should be recorded. Travel time included, an hour-long session could require more than two hours of the business owner’s time.

When not engaged with clients, Special Needs Coaches spend their time marketing their business and building on their own skills and knowledge.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful special needs coaching business?

While there are no specific requirements for becoming a Special Needs Coach, those pursuing this career path would benefit from having an understanding of the disabilities they are working with. Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification would prove beneficial, as would DIR training through the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders.

In addition, real-world experience working with children and adults with disabilities is recommended. This could be on a volunteer basis or as a teacher’s assistant at a local school that specializes in educating students with communication disorders, autism, and/or other learning disabilities.

Regardless of education and experience, Special Needs Coaches must possess confidence and enthusiasm, balanced with patience and calmness. This combination is best suited for working with children with special needs.

What is the growth potential for a special needs coaching business?

One in nine children are now born with autism, ensuring an overwhelming demand for Special Needs Coaches. Given the personal nature of this field, however, the business owner is central to the organization’s brand. A reputation is build within this tightly-knit community, somewhat limiting the growth potential of a Special Needs Coaching business.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a special needs coaching business?

Leaders offer the following advice when starting out in this fairly young industry:

• When possible, invest in client organization tools. This will help minimize time spent on administrative tasks.

• In the beginning, focus on one specialization. Be specific about who you work with and what goals you would like to help them reach. You can build on your experience and education as time goes on, or expand your business to include additional therapists.

• When speaking with parents and children, speak in layman’s terms. Your “coaching language” could prove frustrating and intimidating.

• Try to find a mentor in your chosen field.

How and when to build a team

Special Needs Coaching businesses can be run by one individual or as a collective entity. If your vision includes employees, consider building a team of individuals with independent skills and expertise. If you strength is not in marketing, accounting, or administrative work, consider enlisting the help of professionals in each field.

Part 2 - Is a Special Needs Coaching business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Special Needs Coaching business in 90 days